GARDINER — Healthy Communities of the Capital Area, the local Healthy Maine Partnership that serves southern Kennebec County, received a Healthy Food Fund grant from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation to develop gleaning and food processing initiatives.

“Our goal for the Harvard Pilgrim Healthy Food Fund is to make fresh, local food easily accessible and affordable for more low- and middle-income families in our region,” Karen Voci, president of the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation, said in a news release from the foundation.

The $50,000 grant provides support for collaboration with the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office Kennebec Restorative Community Harvest for gleaning, food processing and distribution, and nutrition education in an effort to reduce food waste, provide food for those in need, and provide nutrition education to reduce chronic diseases.

For more information, contact Project Coordinator Renee Page at [email protected] or 588-5020.