Fresh Minds

Fresh Minds is a signature program of the Junior League of Jacksonville, dedicated to promoting access to healthy food and nutritional education for families living in Jacksonville’s Health Zone 1. By June 1, 2025, Fresh Minds provided more than 20,000 meals to families in need throughout Duval County.

To support the work of the Junior League and the Fresh Minds initiative, please contact EVP@JLJacksonville.org to find out more. Or to contribute to this work, donate HERE

Each month, we distribute meal kits to 59 families at Sanctuary on 8th Street and 20 families at Sulzbacher Village. These kits contain all the necessary ingredients for families to cook a healthy, delicious meal together at home.

Our meals follow a set of clear guidelines to ensure they are:

  1. Easy to replicate – Each recipe is simple and affordable, encouraging families to incorporate healthy meals into their regular routines while offering new options each month.
  2. Made with accessible ingredients – Everything included can be found at local supermarkets.
  3. Quick to prepare – All meals can be cooked in 30 minutes or less.
  4. Fresh and nutritious – Meals feature fresh, wholesome ingredients designed to support overall health and well-being.
  5. Family-friendly – Recipes are designed to appeal to all ages, offering both familiarity and exciting new flavors.
  6. Satisfying – Each meal is designed to be hearty and filling for the whole family.

As of August 2025, Junior League members have contributed over 600 volunteer hours annually to support Fresh Minds. This program not only provides access to nutritious meals but also introduces families to new ingredients and cooking techniques—empowering them to make healthier food choices for the future.

“Our youth and their families also have offered positive feedback regarding the Fresh Minds monthly meal kits, which serve the purpose of encouraging healthy eating and cooking at home, in addition to providing weekend meals that some of our families struggle to come by”. – Rick Cartlidge, Jr. Executive Director, Sanctuary on 8th

 “The children, staff, and families enjoy it, and we are very appreciative. Words cannot express our gratitude.” – Alefia Landry, Sr. Director of Operations, The Crawford Early Learning Center at Sulzbacher Village.