Hebni Nutrition Consultants Receives $750,000 Commitment from Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation
Initial $250,000 to expand Fresh Stop Mobile Market to Orlando residents living in food deserts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Hebni Nutrition Consultants in Orlando, Florida, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health outcomes through nutrition education, nutrition access and wellness programs, has received the first $250,000 installment of a $750,000 three-year commitment from the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation. This major investment will support the expansion of Hebni’s Fresh Stop Mobile Farmers Market program, targeting an estimated 90,000 Central Florida residents living in food deserts.
To make the expansion possible, the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation is also funding a new mobile market truck that will be making 3-4 stops per day during the week, bringing fresh produce and vital nutrition literacy programs to Central Florida.
The official unveiling of the new truck will take place on March 17, 2025, at 10 a.m. at the Grand Avenue Neighborhood Center. The event will feature local dignitaries, business leaders, political leaders, community members and Sprouts executives coming together to celebrate this milestone in improving food access and promoting healthy living across the region.
Since its launch in 2015, the Fresh Stop Mobile Market has served as a vital resource for residents living in food deserts, areas with limited access to affordable and nutritious food. The current program delivers fresh fruits and vegetables to high-need communities across Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties. With the support of this grant, Hebni will replace its aging 23-year-old bus with a state-of-the-art vehicle, increasing its service capacity from 600 to 750 customers per month, significantly expanding its impact.
With the new funding from Sprouts, Hebni plans to:
- Expand its reach to additional neighborhoods with high levels of food insecurity, including ZIP codes 34746, 34741, 32771, and 32703.
- Increase access to culturally relevant nutrition education through cooking demonstrations and recipe cards tailored to diverse populations and consultations to Hebni’s registered dietitans.
- Launch pilot programs supporting seniors at income-based health clinics and federally qualified health centers.
“The investment from the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation is a game-changer for our organization and the communities we serve,” says Glen R. Providence, Executive Director of Hebni. “The new Mobile Market and partnership with Sprouts allows us to deepen our impact and continue transforming lives by allowing us to reach even more individuals who lack access to fresh produce and nutrition education.”
“Sprouts is committed to supporting initiatives that improve health and wellness in the communities we serve,” said Lyndsey Waugh, executive director of the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation. “The Fresh Stop Mobile Market aligns with our mission by making fresh produce and nutrition education accessible to those who need it most.”
These upgrades will improve customer experience while reducing operational costs. Additionally, the funding will support the expansion of Hebni’s produce prescription program, Veggie RX, and its EatWell initiative, both of which provide free fresh produce to food-insecure residents with chronic health conditions such as Type II diabetes.
About Hebni Nutrition Consultants
The Hebni Nutrition Consultants, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2025, located in Orlando, FL., is a community nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering high-risk, culturally diverse populations to take control of their health through evidence-based nutritional guidance and strategies to prevent diet-related diseases.
Learn more about the various programs and initiatives at www.hebninutrition.org
About the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation
The Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation is dedicated to creating healthier futures for children, young adults, and the communities Sprouts serves by advancing nutrition education, promoting health and wellness programs, and increasing access to fresh, nutritious foods. Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations, the Foundation supports initiatives such as building school gardens; teaching youth cooking programs that focus on growing and preparing healthy meals; and equipping children and adults with the tools to develop lifelong healthy eating habits. Since 2015, the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation has awarded over $25 million in grants to nonprofit organizations and schools aligned with its mission. An estimated 3 million children benefit from programs supported by the Foundation each year. For more information about the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation visit www.sprouts.com/about/sprouts-foundation/
###
Media assets
Sprouts Check Presentation to Hebni - Download
