Food Related Programs such as Food Insecurity, Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyles

Sara Lee Corporation is a Chicago-based global manufacturer and marketer of high quality brand-name products for consumers throughout the world. Much of Sara Lee's sales come from life's material necessities such as food, so Sara Lee feels a special responsibility to address the issue of food insecurity, nutrition and healthy lifestyles in its giving.

The Sara Lee Foundation places funding priority on grants to nonprofits that create collaborative and innovative initiatives focused on fighting hunger. Food insecurity is a critical issue and significant consideration is given to programs that focus on food recovery, increased access to fresh produce and protein, meal programs when schools are not in session (as for many students, school lunch is their only meal of the day), and hunger awareness. Nutrition and nutrition education is also of significant interest, particularly in programs that distribute food provided by the government, so that information is available on how to prepare the food in healthy and nutritious ways. Finally, in taking a holistic view on issues of food, we consider projects that deal with issues of food in relationship to healthy lifestyles through programs that address the need for increased physical activity.

To be considered for support, a prospective applicant must first submit an Online Letter of Intent. For instructions on how to apply, please follow the link to our Giving Guidelines. To read about some of the groups and projects we have funded recently, follow the links below:

After School Matters
American Indian Center of Chicago
America's Second Harvest
Center On Halsted
Chicago Anti-Hunger Federation
Chinese American Service League
Common Threads
DuPage Senior Citizens Council
Food Research and Action Center
Girl Scouts of Chicago
Greater Chicago Food Depository
Humanitarian Service Project
Inspiration Corporation
International Food Information Council
John G. Shedd Aquarium
Morton Arboretum
Northern Illinois Food Bank
Ozark Food Bank
People's Resource Center
Teen Parent Connection
Vital Bridges