The City of Riviera Beach in Palm Beach County, Florida, has been named a 2026 Healthy & Sustainable Communities Award recipient through a national program sponsored by American Beverage, the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America (ABFHA), and the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) — recognizing the city’s leadership in promoting nutrition access, financial stability, and healthier communities.
The award honors Riviera Beach’s “Healthy Wallets, Healthy Lives Initiative,” a 12-month, multi-generational program that will support 150 low- to moderate-income families with financial literacy tools, access to nutrition, education, and free recreational and mentorship opportunities.
The Healthy & Sustainable Communities Awards are part of a long-standing public-private partnership between America’s beverage companies and the U.S. Conference of Mayors, designed to support community-driven solutions created by mayors who know their cities best.
“Florida’s beverage companies are deeply connected to the communities where they operate — from family-owned bottlers to manufacturers and distributors serving cities across the state,” said Elizabeth Castro DeWitt, President and CEO of the Florida Beverage Association. “Through American Beverage and the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America, our industry is proud to partner with mayors and local leaders to help turn innovative ideas into real progress for health and sustainability. Riviera Beach’s national recognition reflects what’s possible when local leadership and private-sector investment come together.”
Riviera Beach earned Second Place in the Small City category, competing with cities nationwide. Its initiative integrates three core components:
- Financial literacy to help families build economic stability and emergency savings.
- Nutrition access and education, including produce vouchers.
- Zero-cost recreation and mentorship through parks and community programs.
The program is designed to improve long-term health outcomes, strengthen household financial resilience, and serve as a scalable model for communities across Florida and the nation.
Since the partnership launched in 2012, American Beverage and ABFHA — working alongside the U.S. Conference of Mayors — have invested more than $8 million in 93 cities nationwide, supporting local efforts to address critical health and environmental challenges.
The award was announced during the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C., where mayors from across the country gathered to highlight innovative solutions strengthening communities nationwide.