Cleveland Clinic Florida announced measures to strengthen food security in five counties last month, with several St. Lucie County organizations set to receive much-needed financial assistance.
It’s part of a $50 million “enterprise commitment to reduce hunger and improve access to nutritious food in the communities it serves,” reads a May 19 press release issued by Cleveland Clinic Florida.
“Access to nutritious food is foundational to good health,” said Conor P. Delaney, MD, Ph.D., president of Cleveland Clinic Florida Market. “These investments reflect our commitment to improving the health of our communities by supporting organizations that are addressing food insecurity with compassion, innovation and measurable impact.”
The St. Lucie County recipients and amounts designated to provide healthy food to those living with food insecurity include:
Mustard Seed Ministries – $150,000 annually, for five years
Boys and Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County (BGCSLC) – $100,000 annually, for five years
Council on Aging of St. Lucie – $100,000 annually for five years
Seeding Solutions and Harvesting Hope Community Garden – One-time donation in 2026 of $100,000
“This collaboration represents more than a financial investment,” said Will Armstead, CEO of BGCSLC. “Cleveland Clinic is standing with our community as a true collaborator in our mission to ensure every young person has what they need to thrive. When we open the door to consistent food security and wellness resources, we’re opening the door to healthier futures for thousands of St. Lucie County youth and families. That’s the kind of systemic change we need.”
The $500,000 over five years will allow BGCSLC to address the barriers many county youth and families face.
The funds will “launch and expand three key initiatives”:
Food Pantry Program at Clubhouses, which offer nutritious staples to address food insecurity beyond club hours.
Weekend Backpack Program, which provides nutritious food packs to club members at all sites.
Charlie Cart Culinary Program Expansion, a hands-on program that teaches youth about nutrition and food preparation.
The organization has 29 club locations in the county and serves 16,000 youth annually. Over 1 million meals, snacks and food pantry items are provided each year. The infusion of $100,000 annually for five years expand that reach.
Mustard Seed Ministries called the $150,000 it will receive annually over a five-year period “a gift that we appreciate very much. The demand for food keeps going up and up and up and this will help,” said Communications Director Ed Cunningham.
Funds will be used to provide healthy food for recipients who can pick up bags of groceries from the organization once a month. In addition, they can enjoy hot meals at one of four Sarah’s Kitchens in the county. The hot meals are served at four churches located in both Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie. There are three mobile locations as well. In 2025, Mustard Seed Ministries served 104,000 hot meals.
The help from Cleveland Clinic will go a long way as the organization buys in bulk and at a reduced rate, according to Cunningham, who cited Publix, the Treasure Coat Food Bank and local farms as suppliers.
Mustard Seed Ministries also has two thrift store locations and offers help with clothing, furniture and more.
The Council of Aging of St. Lucie will receive $100,000 each year over the five-year period to support the organization’s Meals on Wheels program that serves seniors throughout the county. The funds will help reduce the number of seniors who are currently on a waitlist for meals. Meals on Wheels also provides wellness checks.
“We are grateful for Cleveland Clinic’s support of our mission and the seniors we serve throughout St. Lucie County,” said Lacinda Mouton, CEO of the Council on Aging of St. Lucie, Inc. “Collaborations (or initiatives) like this allow us to reach more seniors in need and provide services that go far beyond a meal.”
Seeding Solutions and Harvesting Hope Community Garden in Fort Pierce received a one-time donation of $100,000 to continue their work providing fresh produce access.
In addition to St. Lucie County, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin and Indian River counties were part of the five-year, $50 million Cleveland Clinic Florida commitment.