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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2025

Media Contact: Wanda Minick, Executive Director
Florida Head Start Association
[email protected] | (850) 694-6477

Florida Head Start Programs Awarded Nearly $1.9 Million to Advance Childhood Nutrition

Tallahassee, FL — The Florida Head Start Association is proud to announce that four Florida Head Start programs have been awarded a combined $1,890,389 in federal funding to expand nutrition-focused initiatives for young children and families. This investment is part of a $61.9 million national effort by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), to promote healthy eating and combat chronic disease through early childhood education.

The following Florida programs received funding:

  • LeJardin Community Center Inc.
  • Lutheran Services Florida, Inc.
  • Redlands Christian Migrant Association, Inc.
  • Suwannee Valley Community Coordinated Child Care Inc.

These programs will implement hands-on nutrition education projects, including raised garden beds, and food literacy experiences. The funding will also support kitchen upgrades, fresh meal preparation, and family engagement workshops designed to foster lifelong wellness.

“This is a transformative moment for Florida’s Head Start community,” said Wanda Minick, Executive Director of the Florida Head Start Association. “These funds will help our programs nourish both bodies and minds—empowering children and families with the tools to thrive.”

The initiative aligns with HHS’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) strategy, which emphasizes prevention and early intervention to reduce chronic disease and improve community health outcomes.

Florida’s Head Start programs serve over 40,000 children annually, providing comprehensive early childhood education, health, and family support services. This new funding reinforces their commitment to holistic development and strengthens their role as leaders in community wellness.

For more information about Florida’s Head Start programs and their nutrition initiatives, visit www.flheadstart.org.