Newman's Own Foundation
Newman’s Own Foundation

WESTPORT – Newman’s Own Foundation, in cooperation with Humantix, the Henry P. Kendall Foundation and the Hunger to Health Collaboratory, have announced the recipients of the 2026 Food Justice for Kids Prize.

The groups will award $1.4 million in grant funding over two years to be split between 14 nonprofits, tribes, schools, and school districts that are working to ensure all children can access, learn about, and engage with nutritious, culturally relevant food. One of the winners is from Connecticut – Willimantic’s Grow Windham.

 “The Food Justice for Kids Prize supports innovative leaders and organizations growing the next generation of food citizens,” said Alex Amouyel, President and CEO of Newman’s Own Foundation. 

This year’s prize is a collaboration between 

More than a thousand organizations submitted applications this year – nearly double that of the inaugural prize in 2024. During the application review process, more than 125 external reviewers helped with the selection alongside staff from the co-funding organizations. 

This year’s recipients are strengthening culturally relevant nutrition education, youth development, local school food procurement, and climate-friendly school meals. Each organization has a unique approach to advance food justice in their communities. 

This year, five recipients–advancing Indigenous food justice–will receive a total of $500,000 over two years. These tribes and organizations include: 

  • Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Cooperative Extension, Cherokee, N.C., 
  • Hookuaaina, Kailua, Hawaii
  • One Spirit, Pine Ridge Reservation, S.D.,
  • RurAL CAP, Anchorage, Alaska; and Yurok Tribe, Klamath, Calif. 

Nine organizations supporting nutrition education and school food programs will receive a total of $900,000 over two years, helping to provide nourishing food to the 14 million children who live in food-insecure households in the country. These organizations include: 

  • Center for Good Food Purchasing, Berkeley, Calif.,
  • ChangeLab Solutions, Oakland, Calif.,
  • FoodRight Inc., Milwaukee, Wisc., 
  • Good Food Collective, Durango, Colo.,
  • Green Umbrella, Cincinnati, Ohio, 
  • Grow Windham, Willimantic, Conn.,
  • La Colaborativa, Chelsea, Mass.,
  • Plant Powered School Meals Coalition and Plant Powered Youth Fellowship, Orlando, Fla., and 
  • Pilot Light, Chicago, Ill. 

Organizations can also participate in Newman’s Own Foundation’s virtual learning sessions and meet periodically throughout the year with fellow nonprofits, tribes, schools, and school districts. 

To learn more, visit foodjusticeforkids.org.