The Sunnyside neighborhood in South Houston will soon have better access to fresh, healthy food thanks to a new United Health Foundation $675,000 grant presented to the Recipe for Success Foundation. United Health Foundation unveiled the unique partnership at a ceremony at Hope Farms recently with retired NFL Wide Receiver Ricky Sanders serving as M.C..

The grant will help Recipe for Success expand its work to address obesity, food insecurity among South Houston residents and unemployment among U.S. veterans. The organization will train veterans to become urban farmers, provide the community with fresh food, and deliver on-site and in-school nutrition education to children and their parents. In addition, the grant will accelerate the growth of Hope Farms, a 7-acre property on Scott Street near Airport Boulevard with 4.5 acres devoted to growing produce.

On the day of the ceremony, the Mission Continues, a Veteran Service Organization, conducted a day-long service project at Hope Farms. Dozens of veterans and UnitedHealthcare volunteers built more than 20 raised planting beds and a 24-by-36 greenhouse.

When Hope Farms reaches full capacity, it will be capable of generating more than 100,000 pounds of produce annually that will be available for families both on-site and at citywide farmers markets.

United Health Foundation and Recipe for Success are also teaming to create the Hope Farmer Training Scholarships for Veterans. The scholarship enables local veterans interested in becoming professional urban farmers to receive a year-long curriculum to learn sustainable horticulture, financial literacy, accounting, banking and business planning while being paid a living wage.

Speaking at the ceremony were retired NFL Wide Receiver Ricky Sanders, who served as M.C.; Don Langer, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Texas; Gracie Cavnar, Founder & CEO, Recipe for Success Foundation; Texas State Senator Sylvia Garcia, District 6; Texas State Representative Carol Alvarado, District 145; Houston City Council Member Mike Knox, At Large, Position 1; Houston City Council Member David Robinson, At Large, Position 2; Barry Mattson, Executive Director - Central, The Mission Continues; and Tony Solomon, Houston Director, Veterans Behavioral Health Initiative.

About Recipe For Success Foundation

Entering its second decade, Recipe for Success Foundation is a non-profit 501C3 that focuses on combating childhood obesity by changing the way our children understand, appreciate and eat their food and by educating and mobilizing the community to provide healthier diets for children, with programs that have empowered more than 35,000 children in Houston and beyond with the knowledge and skills they need to lead healthier lives. The Foundation works to create a culture where nutritious food is shared, appreciated, and celebrated. Through its award-winning efforts like the nationally offered Seed-to-Plate Nutrition Education™ in schools, Eat It! Food Adventures children's cookbooks, farmers marKIDS DAYS and the VegOut! 30-Day Challenge, and the Hope Farms urban agriculture project in Houston, the Foundation makes healthy food appealing and available to everyone. For more information call 713-520-0443 or see www.recipe4success.org Follow activities on the farm at www.hopefarmshtx.org and www.facebook.com/RecipeForSuccessFoundation

About United Health Foundation

Through collaboration with community partners, grants and outreach efforts, United Health Foundation works to improve our health system, build a diverse and dynamic health workforce and enhance the well-being of local communities. United Health Foundation was established by UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) in 1999 as a not-for-profit, private foundation dedicated to improving health and health care. To date, United Health Foundation has committed nearly $315 million to programs and communities around the world. We invite you to learn more at www.unitedhealthgroup.com/SocialResponsibility or follow Facebook.com/UHGGives.