Childhood Obesity & Freshworks
One of our early social determinants of health investments, inclusive of an innovative financing model to expand fresh food access in neighborhoods.
More than one million Californians, many in low-income communities, live without access to grocery stores, or other sources of fresh and healthy food. The lack of fresh produce and other nutritious food in a family diet, which is often replaced by cheap processed or fast food, negatively impacts community health.
Freshworks invested in projects that increase healthy food access in a variety of ways. This included traditional retail, as well as production, distribution, food hubs, aggregators, institutional buying programs, and other solutions to the issue of limited food access.
A network of lenders provided flexible capital to healthy food enterprises that are often unable to receive credit from traditional sources. Our lending was supported by technical assistance grants that helped build capacity, as well as a credit enhancement program that helped our lenders take additional risk.
Freshworks partnered with businesses that used our financial tools to make a positive difference in the target communities. We evaluated applicants on their business plan and financial strength, as well as the following goals:
- Healthy Food Access: Increase access to healthy food for residents of low-income, low-access communities
- Economic Development: Spur job creation and inclusive economic development
- Racial & Social Equity: Ensure equitable access to food, ownership, and jobs
- Environmental Stewardship: Encourage sustainable environmental practices
- Local Sourcing: Build a sustainable California food system that increases availability of locally grown or produced foods
-
$272M
to expand access to fresh fruits, vegetables and nutritious foods in neighborhoods where they were lacking -
5 year
commitment -
6,000
jobs created
“Health happens in our neighborhoods. Families can’t eat healthier food if they can’t buy it where they live. The sheer number of banks and other investors involved proves that this is not only the right thing to do to improve the health of our communities, but it’s financially attractive. The more than a dozen partners who made it happen should be congratulated for their vision and collaboration.”
DR. ROBERT K. ROSS President & CEO, The California Endowment
Browse Other Changes Planted by Dr. Ross
Building Healthy Communities $1B invested over 10 years
Health4All 38.6 million lives impacted
Youth Awards 37 total awards given
Schools Not Prisons & BMOC Millions reached since 2016
Farmworker Health $50M initiative
TCE Grant Making 2023 $381M awarded
Parks for All Hundreds of millions leveraged for parks investments in CA
Youth on the Board 1st of large foundations in US to have youth on the board
CHIS 20,000 households interviewed annually to find health gaps in CA
Kids Health Coverage Campaign $4M to help enroll children in health programs
Cultural Competency/Health Workforce/PRIME $78.2M to CA organizations working to boost the size and diversity of the state's healthcare workforce
TCE Headquarters 125,000+ use our facilities every year
Wishing Wall
Dr. Ross,
You are an amazing person/soul! Wish you the best retirement!
Thank you for believing in us and the opportunities your faith in us have afforded so many. We wish tenfold those blessings on you.
- Alf LaMont
Dr. Ross,
Wish you peace and reflective joy brother.
- Efrain Escobedo
On behalf of Music Changing Lives, we want to extend our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support and dedication. Your commitment to nurturing and inspiring young minds through philanthropy is truly transformative. May you continue to touch lives & bring harmony to our communities. We are blessed to have you as a part of our journey.
- Josiah (Music Changing Lives)
Thank you, Dr. Ross, for all the love you have given to this world. You have paved the way to continue making change.
- Veronica
Dang Bob! You really leaving? You really reading all this good stuff?! Ok man! Among so many of the things I already said, you baaaad, Dude. Much love!
Congratulations on a wonderful 24 years of impact! May God bless you and keep you!
Thank you for being a mentor and inspiration. You have truly made a difference in California and the world.
Dr. Ross,
Thank you for your unwavering support of the HCA and the BHC. You made a difference in the world, and supported us to do the same.
In gratitude,
- Yvonne Maria Jimenez
NLSLA
It’s been a blessing to us and the movement to have you. Wishing you lots of love in your next chapter.
Congratulations Dr. Ross (aka 007) on 24 years of making a change in CA’s future.
Best,
- Dolores Estrada
Dr. Ross,
Wishing you a magical abundant retirement.
- Nikki
Wishing you a happy and blessed retirement.
Love,
- David & Pei
Bob,
May your love, kindness and humor grow in retirement.
Love you,
- Steve & Victoria
Blessed to be a part of your celebration and life, Bob!
Happiest wishes for a joyous and peaceful retirement after an amazing and productive career! Come back to visit TCE!
- Diana Yang
Bob!
Rest. Relax. Renew. Have fun…
- Kisha Grove
I wish that you receive as much as you’ve provided to so many.
Much love,
- Steve Delgado
Dearest Dr. Ross,
May you be happy in the next phase of your life.
- Susan
Best wishes!
- Melinda Smith and the Helpguide team
Unveiling Our
2025 Annual
Report
The California Endowment is proud to present our 2025 annual report. Read about the work we are supporting and our partners who are changing California to a state of belonging and inclusion.
View Report