A new relationship between the 6 Stones New Hope Center and North Texas Healthy Communities’ Good For You Pantry program means Hurst-Euless-Bedford residents in need will have even greater access to produce and healthy foods—even while the Euless nonprofit builds a new facility to better serve the community. The partnership enhances 6 Stones efforts to provide emergency food and other resources by supplying the nonprofit’s pantry with fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy items, which are now available through walk-in and drive-thru food distribution services.
6 Stones, a community-based social service organization that has served the HEB community for 14 years, is constructing a new facility, set to open in early 2024. In the meantime, the nonprofit will continue to provide food and services on a walk-in basis at 544 W. Pipeline Road in Hurst every Tuesday from 4 to 6 p.m.
In addition, drive-thru distributions of pre-packed Good For You Pantry bags will be held on the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon at the Pipeline location and fourth Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon in the back parking lot of Cross City Church, 1000 Airport Freeway in Euless. Services are available only to HEB residents.
The Good For You Pantry program is led by North Texas Healthy Communities—the outreach arm of Texas Health Resources that implements Blue Zones Project and other well-being initiatives across the region. Housed in schools and community centers, the program allows area residents to choose their own fresh produce and other nutritious staples, at no cost, at convenient and trusted neighborhood locations. The 6 Stones pantry—which serves 4,500 families every year—is the first time the Good For You Pantry program has expanded outside of Fort Worth in order to serve residents in greater Tarrant County. The expansion is funded by a grant from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), with funds administered by Tarrant County.
“Everyone should have access to fresh produce and other healthy foods, and we’re proud to partner with North Texas Healthy Communities to deliver this important resource to our community,” said Jennifer Leney, executive director of 6 Stones. “As we continue construction on our new building, our new affiliation with the Good For You Pantry will allow us to continue to provide access to healthy food for our neighbors.”
North Texas Healthy Communities launched the first Good For You Pantry in November 2019 at Fort Worth ISD’s Daggett Middle School. Since then the program has consistently expanded, with 6 Stones becoming the 13th Good For You location to date. Other pantry locations include Alice Contreras Elementary, Carter Park Elementary, C.C. Moss Elementary, M.H. Moore Elementary, Oakhurst Elementary, Van Zandt-Guinn Elementary, Versia Williams Elementary, Wedgwood Middle School, Fortress Youth Development Center, LVTRise Community Center, and Eugene McCrae Community Center, all in Fort Worth.
Each school-based Good For You Pantry traditionally serves 50 to 75 each month; community center pantries can vary. Through 2022, the program distributed 127,835 pounds of produce, serving more than 25,000 people. In addition to healthy foods, the pantries provide nutrition education, healthy recipes, cooking demonstrations and even complimentary utensils that enable recipients to create healthier meals at home.
“Studies show that access to fruits and vegetables, along with other healthy foods, makes a measurable difference in well-being,” said Matt Dufrene, North Texas Healthy Communities vice president. “Through the leadership of 6 Stones, we are continuing to eliminate barriers to better health across Tarrant County.”
North Texas Healthy Communities’ efforts to build a stronger, healthier food ecosystem also include Fresh Access, a program that distributes fresh produce at Fort Worth community centers. Other initiatives include funding and support for school gardens, support for farmers markets and urban farms, and Double Up Food Bucks, which enables Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit participants to double their savings on fresh produce at participating farmers markets and grocers. In addition, the Culled Produce Recovery Program, a partnership with local urban farms and grocery stores, gives new life to unsold produce. Blue Zones Project is a signature initiative and one of many led by North Texas Healthy Communities to improve the health of the people in the communities served by Texas Health Resources.