Our Story
THRIVE is a community-driven initiative dedicated to advancing food security, economic opportunity, and long-term resilience in Tallahassee’s most under-resourced neighborhoods. We work hand-in-hand with community partners and residents to expand access to healthy, affordable food, support local food entrepreneurs, and create meaningful job opportunities.
Beyond improving access, THRIVE strengthens nutrition awareness, fosters connections across the local food system, and empowers resident-led organizations to advocate for lasting change.
Our Goals
Guided by these goals, THRIVE builds pathways for healthier families, stronger businesses, and more sustainable communities.
Goal 1
Improve healthy food availability and access
THRIVE is committed to increasing access to fresh, local food in underserved communities. Through expanded food channels and increased use of local food systems, our efforts will ensure that residents in the five target neighborhoods experience at least a 30% improvement in healthy food availability and accessibility.
Goal 2
Improve economic opportunity in the local food system
We aim to strengthen the local food economy by supporting new and existing food businesses. By helping residents start and grow licensed food enterprises and creating new jobs, this goal focuses on building pathways to economic stability and upward mobility.
Goal 3
Expand nutritional awareness and interest in local food consumerism
THRIVE works to increase community knowledge about nutrition and healthy eating while encouraging active participation in local food initiatives. Residents will engage in education and food projects designed to raise awareness, foster healthier choices, and build pride in locally grown food.
Goal 4
Improve connectivity among local food system sectors
This goal strengthens the links between farms, businesses, and households to reduce food insecurity and improve community food resilience. By boosting farm sales and building stronger networks, THRIVE ensures that local food systems better serve neighborhood needs.
Goal 5
Foster self-reliance and long-range planning capacity among resident-led organizations
We are dedicated to empowering residents to lead and advocate for their communities. By improving quality of life and strengthening the capacity of local leaders, this goal supports long-term sustainability and equips communities to shape their own futures.
Communities
We Serve
THRIVE serves five historically under-resourced neighborhoods in Tallahassee—Frenchtown, Greater Bond, Providence, Griffin Heights, and South City. These communities have deep cultural roots but significant economic and health disparities today. These neighborhoods face high unemployment (12–20%), low household incomes ($13,000–$23,000), and some of the highest poverty rates in the city. More than two-thirds of households are led by single women with children, and the population is predominantly young, with a median age of 23–33 years old.
Griffin Heights is a historic neighborhood with strong community pride located in northwest Tallahassee.
Liaison:
K. Lennoris Barber
Email:
Frenchtown, founded in 1863, is Florida’s oldest historic African-American neighborhood.
Liaison:
Meltonia Chandler
Email:
Providence is a historic neighborhood focused on community strength, fresh food access, and long-term resilience.
Liaison:
Walter McDonald III
Contact: walterwmcdonald@gmail.com
Greater Bond, located on Tallahassee’s south side, is focused on wellness and community growth.
Liaison:
Dr. Vanessa Williams
Email:
South City, located south of Tallahassee’s business district, is focused on revitalization and community wellness.
Liaison:
Marie Bryant
Email:
MAP OF TALLAHASSEE
Core Neighborhoods
Instructions: Click on each button to learn more about the neighborhoods we serve.
Residents in these areas experience limited access to healthy food, affordable housing, and economic opportunity. Since 2015, Tallahassee has been recognized as one of the most economically segregated cities in the U.S., with rising housing costs and rental burdens that strain household incomes. More than 60% of residents live in poverty and face heightened risks of diet-related disease, gun violence, and premature mortality.
Despite these challenges, these neighborhoods are rich in history, resilience, and community pride. THRIVE works alongside residents to build food security, create pathways to economic opportunity, and strengthen community engagement so families and businesses can thrive.
Communities
We Serve
THRIVE serves five historically under-resourced neighborhoods in Tallahassee—Frenchtown, Greater Bond, Providence, Griffin Heights, and South City. These communities have deep cultural roots but significant economic and health disparities today. These neighborhoods face high unemployment (12–20%), low household incomes ($13,000–$23,000), and some of the highest poverty rates in the city. More than two-thirds of households are led by single women with children, and the population is predominantly young, with a median age of 23–33 years old.
MAP OF TALLAHASSEE
Core Neighborhoods
Instructions: Hover over each button to learn more about the neighborhoods we serve.
Griffin Heights is a historic neighborhood with strong community pride located in northwest Tallahassee.
Liaison:
K. Lennoris Barber
Email:
Frenchtown, founded in 1863, is Florida’s oldest historic African-American neighborhood.
Liaison:
Meltonia Chandler
Email:
Providence is a historic neighborhood focused on community strength, fresh food access, and long-term resilience.
Liaison:
Walter McDonald III
Contact: walterwmcdonald@gmail.com
Greater Bond, located on Tallahassee’s south side, is focused on wellness and community growth.
Liaison:
Dr. Vanessa Williams
Email:
South City, located south of Tallahassee’s business district, is focused on revitalization and community wellness.
Liaison:
Marie Bryant
Email: visionworks89@outlook.com
Residents in these areas experience limited access to healthy food, affordable housing, and economic opportunity. Since 2015, Tallahassee has been recognized as one of the most economically segregated cities in the U.S., with rising housing costs and rental burdens that strain household incomes. More than 60% of residents live in poverty and face heightened risks of diet-related disease, gun violence, and premature mortality.
Despite these challenges, these neighborhoods are rich in history, resilience, and community pride. THRIVE works alongside residents to build food security, create pathways to economic opportunity, and strengthen community engagement so families and businesses can thrive.
Communities We Serve
THRIVE serves five historically under-resourced neighborhoods in Tallahassee—Frenchtown, Greater Bond, Providence, Griffin Heights, and South City. These communities have deep cultural roots but significant economic and health disparities today. These neighborhoods face high unemployment (12–20%), low household incomes ($13,000–$23,000), and some of the highest poverty rates in the city. More than two-thirds of households are led by single women with children, and the population is predominantly young, with a median age of 23–33 years old.
MAP OF TALLAHASSEE
Core Neighborhoods
Instructions: Hover over each button to learn more about the neighborhoods we serve.
Located in northwest Tallahassee, Griffin Heights is a historic neighborhood with strong community pride.
Liaison: Kenneth Barber
Griffin Heights is a historic neighborhood with strong community pride located in northwest Tallahassee.
Liaison: Kenneth Barber
Griffin Heights is a historic neighborhood with strong community pride located in northwest Tallahassee.
Liaison: Kenneth Barber
Frenchtown, founded in 1863, is Florida’s oldest historic African-American neighborhood.
Liaison: Meltonia Chandler
Providence is a historic neighborhood focused on community strength, fresh food access, and long-term resilience.
Liaison: Walter McDonald III
Greater Bond, located on Tallahassee’s south side, is focused on wellness and community growth.
Liaison: Vanessa Williams
South City, located south of Tallahassee’s business district, is focused on revitalization and community wellness.
Liaison: Marie Bryant
Residents in these areas experience limited access to healthy food, affordable housing, and economic opportunity. Since 2015, Tallahassee has been recognized as one of the most economically segregated cities in the U.S., with rising housing costs and rental burdens that strain household incomes. More than 60% of residents live in poverty and face heightened risks of diet-related disease, gun violence, and premature mortality.
Despite these challenges, these neighborhoods are rich in history, resilience, and community pride. THRIVE works alongside residents to build food security, create pathways to economic opportunity, and strengthen community engagement so families and businesses can thrive.