By GARETT VALCOURT
United Way of Northwest Florida has partnered with CrossPoint Church in Ponce de Leon to launch a $400,000 initiative aimed at addressing food insecurity in Holmes County while providing residents with opportunities to develop agricultural skills and achieve greater long-term self-sufficiency.
The four-year program, known as Rooted in Holmes, is funded through a grant from the Florida Blue Foundation and will combine regular food distributions with agricultural education, workforce development and community outreach.
Although the initiative’s official kickoff is scheduled for Oct. 28, the program has already begun serving local residents. Its first food distribution, held Sept. 19 in Ponce de Leon, provided free groceries to 146 households, benefiting 411 individuals.
The initiative is designed to address both the immediate need for nutritious food and the long-term challenges associated with food insecurity in rural communities.
In addition to providing groceries, Rooted in Holmes will establish a workforce-driven community farm where residents can participate in hands-on agricultural training. Educational programming will focus on gardening, food preservation, meal planning, nutrition and financial literacy.
Participation will be open to residents of all ages and backgrounds, with no eligibility requirements. Individuals may receive groceries, volunteer in the community garden, attend educational courses or participate in other program activities.
Hong Potomski, Northwest Florida market president for Florida Blue, said the foundation’s investment reflects the importance of addressing food insecurity as part of broader efforts to improve community health and economic opportunity.
“Food security is the foundation for everything else, including jobs, health, and opportunity,” Potomski said. “That’s why the Florida Blue Foundation is investing in the Panhandle through Rooted in Holmes, alongside United Way of Northwest Florida and CrossPoint Church.”
Potomski said the initiative is intended to address immediate food needs while helping residents develop skills that will benefit them in the future. The program’s first distribution, which served 411 individuals, demonstrated the potential impact of the partnership.
Gina Littleton, president and CEO of United Way of Northwest Florida, said the initiative illustrates the organization’s commitment to bringing resources and community partners together to address local challenges.
“Rooted in Holmes reflects what United Way does best: uniting people, resources, and programs to solve our communities’ toughest challenges,” Littleton said. “We are grateful to the Florida Blue Foundation for investing in this vision and to CrossPoint Church for the partnership and the trust it brings to implementing this program. United, we are helping Holmes County families thrive.”
The initiative builds upon an existing food assistance ministry established by CrossPoint Church, which was founded in Ponce de Leon in 2019 by Michael and Amy Tadlock.
The couple brings approximately three decades of combined experience in youth programs, community outreach and education.
Through its outreach arm, DaySpring Outreach Ministries, the church began providing groceries to Holmes County families before it had established a permanent church building. That grassroots effort eventually developed into a monthly food distribution ministry that now serves as the foundation for Rooted in Holmes.
According to church leadership, volunteers have spent the past seven years contributing their time, resources and financial support to assist families struggling to put food on the table.
The Florida Blue Foundation grant will allow the church to expand those efforts by incorporating agricultural education, partnerships with local farmers and additional community resources.
CrossPoint Church will provide the land and oversee daily farm operations and food distributions, while United Way of Northwest Florida and the Florida Blue Foundation will support the broader initiative through their partnership.
Church leadership said the program represents an opportunity to build upon years of volunteer service while creating lasting benefits for Holmes County residents.
The partnership is also expected to strengthen connections among local farmers, community organizations and residents interested in learning practical skills related to food production and financial stability.
United Way of Northwest Florida serves six counties, including Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Gulf and Calhoun. The organization focuses on improving lives through initiatives supporting education, financial stability and health.
The official Rooted in Holmes kickoff is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 10 a.m. at 1619 Highway 90 in Ponce de Leon.
Representatives from the Florida Blue Foundation, United Way of Northwest Florida and CrossPoint Church are expected to attend. The event will include program demonstrations, interviews with community partners and volunteers, and an overview of the initiative’s four-year goals.
Additional information about United Way of Northwest Florida and its community programs is available at www.UnitedWayNWFL.org.
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