Transforming Systems. Cultivating Joy. Nourishing Neighborhoods.
What happened: H.R.1 cut SNAP benefits for 37,000 people in St. Louis City and County and reduced WIC eligibility, creating an immediate food security crisis.1
Why it matters: Families who relied on these benefits for groceries now face hunger and impossible choices between food and other necessities.
Since 2021, our 26-member collaborative has built the infrastructure to respond:
In June 2026, ETC launched its Fruit & Vegetable Voucher Program to put fresh, locally grown produce directly into residents' hands, at no cost to them, while paying local farmers full price for their harvest.
Each $20 voucher can be redeemed for fresh fruits and vegetables at participating ETC farmers markets and community markets. Vouchers are bilingual (English/Spanish), carry our “Choose Often · Elige con frecuencia” healthy-eating message, and are distributed free to residents at ETC community events.
Every voucher redeemed is a double investment: nutritious food for a Promise Zone family, and real revenue for the Black-led farms and growers in our coalition.
Want to fund more vouchers? A $20 donation puts a bag of fresh produce on a neighbor's table and pays a local farmer.
DonateNew: The program launched June 27, 2026 at the Kingsway East Farmers Market — despite the rain, about 20 families took home fresh produce and $400 went directly to local growers. Read the launch recap →
In 2026, ETC launched a Healthy Eating pilot with six founding partner sites across the St. Louis Promise Zone, bringing bilingual “Choose Often” produce signage and nutrition standards to grocery stores, farmers markets, urban farms, and community meal programs.
Rooted in the Healthy Eating Research (HER) guidelines, the pilot helps each site guide neighbors toward fresh, nutritious food while keeping dignity and choice at the center — the tiers are never used to limit what anyone can take home. Every site receives materials, training, and support to bring the standards to life in a way that fits its community.
Empowered Thriving Communities (ETC) Empowered Thriving Communities (ETC) is a community-driven coalition guided by local farmers, growers, kitchens, community markets, food banks, pantries, and food justice advocates. The coalition is committed to advancing food justice in the St. Louis region by building a sustainable, community-rooted ecosystem that centers Black-led and community-driven solutions to food insecurity, land access, and holistic wellness.
ETC serves residents of the St. Louis Promise Zone and is coordinated by the St. Louis Integrated Health Network.
Our approach: Building power, sharing resources, and transforming systems through collective action.
The American Public Health Association selected ETC as a community model for advancing health equity through interconnected medical, social, and environmental solutions.2
Public health social worker transforming systems through community convening, high-impact facilitation, project implementation, and equitable and radical solution building.
Her contributions frame equity for the field of public health and community wellbeing and help support systemic and community-driven change. Through her consulting practice, Resonancia Sagrada, she brings together rigorous public health science and contemplative, community-rooted healing.
Yogi, author, and urban gardener; public health and food systems advocate. Co-Founder and Executive Director of Fit and Food Connection, and social justice consultant.
City of St. Louis Department of Health
Food Justice Advocate
Fit & Food Connection
Together, we're building a powerful network of community organizations, health providers, and grassroots leaders united in our commitment to food justice and health equity in St. Louis.
NACDD awarded funding to implement the BRIC program in Missouri, to service residents in STL City + County
BRIC members mobilized through several community facing events, opportunities, and new projects.
CDC awarded funding to implement the REACH grant in Missouri, to service residents in STL City + County (St. Louis Promise Zone)
Collaborative changed name from BRIC to ETC and created mission statement
APHA Video and established strategic pillars:
1. Community Engagement & Education
2. Policy & Advocacy, and
3. Internal Capacity Building
APHA features ETC as a national model for health equity; the coalition gathers for its annual retreat to set priorities. See retreat photos
In response to SNAP/WIC cuts affecting 37,000 St. Louisans, ETC launches its Fruit & Vegetable Voucher Program at the Kingsway East Farmers Market and a six-site Healthy Eating pilot across the Promise Zone.
Through partnership and collaboration, the St. Louis Integrated Health Network is a healthcare intermediary building capacity across sectors to advance health equity and improve wellbeing by increasing access to health and social services, with an emphasis on communities that have been historically excluded.
Your donation powers grassroots food justice in the Promise Zone.
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