• Meals made with fresh, whole foods could transform our healthcare system
• Over half of Stockton, California’s residents are diabetic or prediabetic. A prescribed meal program aims to change that.
• The Project Food Box program provides medically tailored food boxes to clients of California’s MediCal insurance program.
• And, in our Local Bites section: the Charlotte Hungerford Hospital’s recently opened “Food4Healthâ€?clinic is designed like a mini-grocery store offering fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthy items for patients with chronic diseases where nutrition is an important key in management.

Food As Medicine News – The longer version:

Meals made with fresh, whole foods could transform our healthcare system

Congressman James P. McGovern (D-MA), the Chairman of the Committee on Rules, founder and co-chair of the House Hunger Caucus, and sits on the House Subcommittee on Nutrition, says that even though, “research shows better diets can prevent and even reverse chronic illness, saving billions of dollars and helping countless patients�the science is light-years ahead of the public policy on this issue. Instead of acknowledging the link between poor nutrition and chronic illness, federal programs like Medicare often incentivize costly treatments and expensive prescription drugs.�/p>

McGovern has introduced a new bipartisan bill in Congress with Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan), officially called the Medically Tailored Home-Delivered Meals Demonstration Pilot Act. “It relies on a simple idea: Caregivers should be able to provide nutritious, dietitian-approved meals directly to the homes of seniors with chronic health conditions. It’s that simple.�/p>

Over half of Stockton, California’s residents are diabetic or prediabetic. A prescribed meal program aims to change that.

Over half of Stockton, California’s 320,000 residents are diabetic or prediabetic, according to the Public Health Institute. “The Healthy Food Rx program aims to help change that, recognizing the large body of research linking food insecurity and diabetes. So far, the approach �delivering meal kits with enough food for two meals and pantry staples, paired with nutrition fact sheets and cooking lessons �appears promising in managing diabetes…Along with addressing the sharp rates of diabetes in Stockton, a larger goal of the program is to build the case for a program like this to be treated as medicine.�/p> A study of 450 program participants found a clinically significant decrease in A1C levels (which measures the percentage of your red blood cells that have sugar-coated hemoglobin) �an average 0.8 percent decline �within 12 months for participants with uncontrolled diabetes. The study participants also reported that the dietary shifts helped them exercise and take health education classes more often.

The Project Food Box program provides medically tailored food boxes to clients of California’s MediCal insurance program.

As an outgrowth of the USDA’s pandemic-era Farmers to Families Food Box program, the Project Food Box program of SunTerra seized on the inefficiencies to direct low-cost produce to food banks. “Reluctant to drop Farmers to Families when Covid funding dried up, the most recent iteration of the program, SunTerra, provides medically tailored food boxes to clients of California’s MediCal insurance program. Steve Brazeel, Founder and CEO of SunTerra Produce, is showing that there is a role for farmers to play in the Food is Medicine.â€?/p> California residents enrolled in Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid healthcare program, can fill out a form requesting regular deliveries of medically tailored grocery boxes. They must include their Medi-Cal identification number and list the chronic diseases that afflict them. Via phone, one of the team’s registered dieticians confirms an applicant’s eligibility and learns more about their chronic illnesses, their relationship to food, and any cultural food preferences.  Since its founding in 2020, Project FoodBox has delivered over five million boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables to families in need through its network of healthcare companies, food banks, faith-based organizations and nonprofits.

Local BitesFun

Opened in December 2023, the Charlotte Hungerford Hospital’s new “Food4Health�clinic is designed like a mini-grocery store offering fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthy items for patients with chronic diseases where nutrition is an important key in management. Falling under the umbrella of the Hartford Hospital’s “Food4Health�program, the Charlotte Hungerford’s Food4Health’s Director, Registered Dietitian Carla Angevine, is very hopeful.

Not only can patients shop for items on their grocery list but the staff will also point out and educate the patients about new foods and offer recipes. The staff even note if the patients are avoiding specific foods and try to understand why. Angevine says, “We get to know our patients, strike up conversations, build trust, and, most importantly, build relationships.�/p>

Food4Health’s grocery store offers fresh produce, whole grains, whole grain cereal, low sodium canned goods, olive oil, vinegar, and spices. “As we get into the growing season, we will order more from our local Food Hub.�The Northwest Connecticut FoodHub works with farmers all over northwest Connecticut picking up their fresh, locally grown produce, and delivering it to food pantries (as donations) and wholesale customers, such as schools, grocery stores, restaurants, and now hospitals like Charlotte Hungerford (we profiled the Northwest Connecticut FoodHub and it’s founder Renee Girous in this blog nearly a year ago).

Beyond helping patients in their six months with the clinic (which they can renew to one year), the program also helps them transition out of the program. “If they are not on SNAP, we help them apply. We make sure to have a discussion on how to best utilize their dollars to incorporate the healthy foods they need.�/p>

Despite just beginning, Angevine is very hopeful. “My hope is through the program, as a patient’s health is improved they will have increased economic opportunities that will in return improve their food security status.�/p>

The post FOOD AS MEDICINE: DIGESTIBLE BITES (WITH A SERVING OF LOCAL BITES) – MARCH 2024 appeared first on Food Rescue US.

Meet the 2024 Honorees

Leadership Award Recipient Melissa Spiesman

Looking to the future, Melissa expressed confidence in the path ahead for Food Rescue US. â€œThe journey doesn’t end with me. There’s a robust team in place, and the need for our work continues to grow. I’m excited to see how Food Rescue US will continue to innovate and expand its impact.â€?/p>

Visionary Award Recipient Michel Nischan

Michel Nischan is a four-time James Beard Award-winning chef with over 35 years of leadership advocating for a more healthful, sustainable food system. He is founder and president of Wholesome Crave, a food company selling responsibly sourced, plant-based soups. A portion of the sales from Wholesome Crave products benefit Wholesome Wave, the non-profit food equity organization for which Michel serves as Co-Founder and Executive Chairman.

About the Event

The post CELEBRATE FOOD RESCUE US 2024 appeared first on Food Rescue US.

Lessons in Compassion and Sustainability

We invite you to join in this journey. Whether you’re a parent, student, or community member, your support can help expand this initiative and create a more sustainable, caring community. For more information on how you can get involved, visit the Food Rescue US – South Florida website or follow them on Instagram @foodrescueus.soflo.

The post New “Share Table” Initiative Launches in Miami Schools appeared first on Food Rescue US.

• If the government recognizes that “food is medicine,â€?why aren’t they taking hunger more seriously? A Salon article points out that “despite all the evidence suggesting how much of an impact connecting Americans with nutritious, culturally-appropriate food could have, two of the most important anti-hunger programs in the United States have come under increased fire from conservative lawmakers.â€?nbsp;
• Colombia passes ambitious “junk food lawâ€?to tackle lifestyle diseases. The Latin American country is one of the first in the world to introduce a health tax targeting ultra-processed foods!
• SNAP recipients may struggle to meet dietary goals, especially in food deserts. A new study from the University of Notre Dame found that SNAP participants in low-income households may not be able to meet the nutrition levels set by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA).
• Mass General Brigham’s Teaching Kitchen prescribes food as medicine. Patients who are prescribed food can pick up bags of fresh produce at the hospital’s attached pantry and sample dishes made with the ingredients are available at the kitchen next door.
• Supermodel Gisele Bündchen weighs in on the value of food: “Food is medicine. For me, eating quality foods and [sourcing] high-quality supplements is key, because this is my temple.â€?/li>

The longer version:

If the government recognizes that “food is medicine,�why aren’t they taking hunger more seriously?

Despite the fact that no one would dispute that all Americans should have access to healthy food, a Salon article points out that “two of the most important anti-hunger programs in the United States have come under increased fire from conservative lawmakers.�nbsp;

• Prior to the pandemic, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (or SNAP) required that people younger than 50 who met certain requirements had to volunteer, work or receive job training for 80 hours a month in order to receive regular assistance. The new budget cuts package raised the age of recipients required to work to 55 and, according to The Center for Public Integrity, made it harder for states to waive work rules in areas with high unemployment.
• The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC, may not receive the funding it needs to adequately serve participants. “In a December press release, the USDA itself wrote that WIC costs are higher this year than last year, in part because more eligible people are signing up for the program meaning, per the organization, that “more pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children are getting access to nutritious food and important health resources they need to thrive.’â€?/li>

Colombia passes ambitious ‘junk food law�to tackle lifestyle diseases

The Latin American country is one of the first in the world to introduce a health tax targeting ultra-processed foods. “Colombia has implemented a “junk food law�whose tax system aims to curb consumption of processed food and sugary drinks. The tax will target ultra-processed foods with an additional 10% surcharge, which will progressively increase to 20% in 2025.�/p>

The revenue raised by the ultra-processed food tax will be used to subsidize healthy food options, either by directly reducing the retail price or providing vouchers or discounts to consumers. “The tax targets ultra-processed products defined as industrially manufactured ready-to-eat foods, as well as those high in salt and saturated fat; some traditional Colombian foods, for example salchichón sausage, will be excluded from the tax.�/p> The average Colombian consumes more salt than any Latin American country. “Nearly a third of adults in the country have high blood pressure. We want to avoid following the path of rich industrialized nations like the United States, where diet-linked diseases are a big problem,�said Beatriz Champagne, executive director of the Coalition for Americas�Health, a Latin American advocacy group.

SNAP recipients may struggle to meet dietary goals, especially in food deserts. A new study from the University of Notre Dame found that SNAP participants in low-income households may not be able to meet the nutrition levels set by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). “What we found was vitamins and minerals are very difficult to actually hit the dietary guidelines on,â€?said Joe Germino, a doctoral student in the Lucy Institute’s DIAL Lab who is advised by Chawla. “You have to make a conscious decision to go and find food items that are cheap enough and actually match your budget. It just adds another layer of complexity to an already difficult problem when you’re living in a food desert.â€?/p> The project will culminate with an app that employs optimization methods to recommend and suggest healthier food items to people based on their dietary goals and their budgets. 

Mass General Brigham’s Teaching Kitchen prescribes food as medicine

Thanks,
Michelle Colman
Food Rescue US �Fairfield County Food as Medicine Liaison

The post FOOD AS MEDICINE: DIGESTIBLE BITES – FEBRUARY 2024 appeared first on Food Rescue US.

Captivated by the Mission

Recalling her first encounter with Food Rescue US, then Community Plates, Melissa shared, “I was immediately captivated by the mission. The simplicity and direct impact of food rescue spoke to me. It was a game-changer in the way we address food insecurity.” 

Transforming Food Rescue US

Throughout her tenure, Melissa’s role evolved alongside the organization. She directed each new site launch, meticulously planning and executing strategies to ensure their success. She shared, “Every new site was a new opportunity to make a tangible difference. It was about understanding local needs and finding ways to meet them efficiently.” Her approach was not just about expansion but also about ensuring that each site could sustainably address the unique challenges of their communities.

Under her guidance, the growth of Food Rescue US was not merely in number of sites, rescues and meals delivered but in the depth of impact. Melissa emphasized building strong relationships with local partners and volunteers. She proudly noted, “Seeing our model replicated successfully in diverse communities showed the universality of our mission and the adaptability of our approach.“

What Lies Ahead

Looking to the future, Melissa expressed confidence in the path ahead for Food Rescue US. “The journey doesn’t end with me. There’s a robust team in place, and the need for our work continues to grow. I’m excited to see how Food Rescue US will continue to innovate and expand its impact.“

The post Celebrating a Legacy: Melissa Spiesman Retires from Food Rescue US appeared first on Food Rescue US.

• â€?a href="//www.netflix.com/title/81133260" target="_blank" rel="noopener">You are What You Eat” four episode series tracks four sets of twins on two strict diets (one vegan and one “healthyâ€?omnivore) with outlined exercise regimes. The finale reveals the twinsâ€?before and after biometrics! Spoiler: food is medicine! 
• The World Economic Forum believes, “Right now, food as medicine is having a moment. But for that moment to turn into a global movement, we need to do more to make sure everyone, everywhere, has access to nutritious food and the tools to support their health through nutrition.â€?They have four recommendations (below).
• MIT released a study showing only a very modest impact of food as medicine to treat diabetes. Drat. 

The longer version:

• Netflix is food as medicine crazy! In addition to Dan Buettner’s Blue Zone series we mentioned in our last newsletter, now there’s an equally intriguing â€?a href="//www.netflix.com/title/81133260" target="_blank" rel="noopener">You are What You Eat” four episode series that tracks four sets of twins on two strict diet and exercise regimes and reveals their before and after biometrics! Spoiler: food is medicine! The series is based on this Stanford study if you want to learn more.
• The World Economic Forum believes, “Right now, food as medicine is having a moment. But for that moment to turn into a global movement, we need to do more to make sure everyone, everywhere, has access to nutritious food and the tools to support their health through nutrition. That’s how we’ll make food the medicine of the future â€?and help more people worldwide lead healthier lives.â€?They have four recommendations:
  • Data: To be truly accessible, food as medicine needs to be covered by public and private insurance or government programmes. And the only way that will happen is if we have conclusive evidence that these programmes both improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
  • Tools: While technology allows doctors to prescribe a diet â€?and patients to fill that prescription with nutritious food â€?we need to make the process even easier. And the private sector should lead the way.
  • Access: Too often, people and communities who would benefit significantly from nutritious food either don’t have access to it or can’t afford it.
  • Collaboration: We need even more cross-sector collaboration.
• MIT just released a study suggesting we need to keep examining how nutrition can combat a pervasive disease. “A new health care program attempting to treat diabetes by means of improved nutrition shows a very modest impact, according to the first fully randomized clinical trial on the subject.â€?nbsp;

Michelle Colman

If you enjoyed this post, you might also like last month’s Food As Medicine post. 

The post Food as Medicine: Digestible Bites – January 2024 appeared first on Food Rescue US.

Share your story:

How can you participate?

1. Choose your prompt: There are five prompts listed below. Pick one that resonates with you the most.
2. Film your story: Use your phone to record a brief video (1-2 minutes) answering your chosen prompt. Nothing fancy- just speak from the heart! Be sure to include your name and the city where you volunteer.
3. Share your video: There are 2 ways to share:
   – Instagram: Post your video using the hashtag #WhatsYourWhy. Be sure to tag our @FoodRescueUS handle so we can share your stories!
   – Google Drive: Upload your video directly to our shared Google Drive folder. We’ll feature these videos on our social platforms. This is a great option if you don’t have a lot of time or experience with creating videos.

Video Prompts to Choose From:

1. What inspires you to volunteer with Food Rescue US?
2. What are some of the impacts of this work that you’ve seen?
3. What do you wish people understood about food waste?
4. Have you learned anything that surprised you while doing this work?
5. What would you tell someone who is interested in getting involved but doesn’t know where to start?

Need Help?

If you have any questions or need assistance with recording or uploading your video, please reach out to Jenna at jenna@t-800.com.

We are excited to receive your submissions and can’t wait to hear your stories! Thank you for being an essential part of our mission to fill plates, not landfills!

The post Share Your Food Rescue Stories! appeared first on Food Rescue US.

“The food distribution was an opportunity to really connect with the families and individuals that we serve. Since we are the transportation mode of donations, we don’t always get to experience the look and expression of gratitude from an individual that is receiving food assistance. This experience has opened my heart and my mind, it has taught me that need doesn’t look the same for everyone.” – Alexa Sosa

Through this collaboration, from June to October, we were able to feed an average of 450 individuals and keep 11,350 lbs. out of landfill. Thank you to the collaborating partners, Fairgate Farm, Filling in the Blanks, Iglesia de Dios de la Profecia, and Nosotras. Thank you to our donors, Trader Joe’s, Starbucks, COBS Bread, Kings Food Markets, Balducci’s, and Whole Foods Greenwich. Last, but not least, thank you to all of the volunteers who made it possible!

The post Fairgate Farm Outdoor Food Distribution of 2023 appeared first on Food Rescue US.

• A newly launched, first-of-its-kind Food is Medicine Institute institute aims to address a glaring gap in the medical system by working to integrate food-based nutrition interventions into health care to treat disease and advance health equity. 
• USDA invests $52 million to improve dietary health and access to fresh fruits and vegetables for eligible families.

The longer version:

The Food is Medicine Institute Launch

USDA invests $52 million to improve dietary health

Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, the USDA Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics commented, “Investments like this enable people to afford and eat healthy fresh fruits and vegetables so they don’t have to make a choice between healthy eating and cheaper less healthier options.�/p> The objectives of the new program called NTAE (which stands “Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information� of course!) are to create an integrated system of implementation and evaluation support, integrating engagement of GusNIP audiences into 2.0 governance, providing and continuously improving training and technical assistance services, assembling partnerships and technologies, conducting an evaluation of existing projects, and advancing the evidence with continued scientific rigor. In 2.0, the NTAE will contribute to the long-term goal of making safe, nutritious food available to all Americans. Local Bites

After years of working in pharmaceuticals, with a focus on patient education and community engagement, Douglas Ordoñez combined his passions for improving health and strengthening communities to join the Food Farmacy of Greater Danbury. 

Food Rescue US: Food Farmacy is such a great example of collaboration. Can you give some tips from your experience?

Douglas Ordoñez: I have to say it is a combination of communication and patience. Every single partner we work with has their own system. So, working together isn’t just about maneuvering through your systems but dealing with othersâ€?processes. As a collaborative team, our steering committee meets once a week. When we confront issues, like HIPAA compliance or patient data, we can say, “Here is the issue, let’s discuss as a team. Do we need to bring in someone else?â€?Everyone shares their ideas, contacts, and solutions. That is what is so great about having these partners. 

FRUS: Did you model the store off of others (either specific grocery stores or other food farmacies)?

DO: A bit of both. Our focus is on a specific medical need, so that really has influenced the way we stock what we offer, what fruits and vegetables, canned goods, low sodium, and low fat foods we offer, while trying to avoid sugar, when we can. 

FRUS: What is on offer at the farmacy?

DO: We have a 360 degree approach to care. People can come in and shop here but we also ask them to meet with a nutrition consultant once a month in order to better understand how to do things like plan a balanced meal and read a label. It’s amazing how someone might look at a label and think it is low salt but forget to look at the serving size. We also have access to a social worker if they need additional social support to combat issues that may be affecting their food budget. 

FRUS: What’s your best piece of advice going into the holiday season?

DO: When people say “but this is traditional�I say new traditions are started every day! As a southern boy, I love my traditions. Food is a great way to connect emotionally to the family I am missing. But when food traditions are unhealthy, I say, let’s start a new one and make it healthier and special. So when I make collard greens to feel closer to home, I don’t use ham hocks, I use smoked turkey legs or wings as they have less fat. I am also really sensitive about respecting people’s cultures. We want to offer better, culturally significant options.

Michelle Colman

If you enjoyed this post, you might also like last month’s Food As Medicine post.

The post Food as Medicine: Digestible Bites (with a big serving of Local Bites) – November 2023 appeared first on Food Rescue US.

“Rabbi Mark Golub was one of my musical muses when it came to including a bit of the Jewish faith into what started out as a fairly traditional Christmas Concert �and he was one of the reasons why we called it a Holiday Concert,�said Rob Mathes. “Rabbi Mark Golub attended every year, and encouraged us to play long into the night. I sat down with him on numerous occasions and those conversations were the inspiration for some of my strongest songs of recent years. The Hanukkah songs I wrote in tribute to him include Light in the Window and Too Many Stars, which we’ll perform this year.�/p> “This year’s concerts will be extra special,�noted Rob Mathes, who has had a busy year beginning in January with Sting and The Pittsburgh Symphony, then arranging strings for Bruce Springsteen, and a performance with Elvis Costello at the Gramercy. He is just finishing a year-long project, producing Melissa Errico’s sequel to her critically acclaimed Sondheim Sublime record (picked by the New York Times as one of the 10 records to listen to in the wake of Sondheim’s passing). Called Sondheim In The City, it features some of New York’s finest musicians and will be out in early 2024. Rob is also gearing up to musically direct the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year , the benefit gala held in Los Angeles GRAMMY week, this year honoring Jon Bon Jovi. Rob Mathes and his Holiday Concerts are renowned for their unique take on holiday classics. The performances promise a blend of Rob’s introspective singer-songwriter pop, with strong jazz and blues overtones, featuring original Rob Mathes holiday songs and classics with a signature Mathes twist. Joining Rob on stage is his all-star band, which includes Will Lee on bass, Billy Masters on guitar, Gunnar Olson on drums, Rick Knutsen on keyboard, and the incredible horn section with Jeff Kievit, Tony Kadleck, Andy Snitzer, Aaron Heick, Mike Davis, and Jeff Nelson. R&B singers James “D Train� Williams and Vaneese Thomas are also fan favorites at the concerts, and of course, there is the Choir of Saints & Friends, that bring the spirit of the holiday season to many of the songs.

“It’s hard to believe I’ve been putting on my Holiday Concerts for 30 years,�exclaimed Rob Mathes. “We started this at a church on a hill in Greenwich in 1993 and it has grown to become a holiday tradition for so many, and for that, I am eternally grateful.�/p>

Rob Mathes added, “The Performing Arts Center has become my ‘home away from homeâ€?and I love coming back and taking the stage there.â€?/p> In the spirit of giving, the Rob Mathes Holiday Concerts will once again, for the fourth year, support Food Rescue US – Fairfield County, a nonprofit organization that fights hunger and helps the planet.

To purchase tickets for the Rob Mathes Holiday Concert, click here. To learn more
about Rob Mathes, visit robmathes.com, Facebook, and Twitter (X) @RobMathesMusic
and Instagram @robmathes.music and youtube.com/user/RobMathesMusic.

The Performing Arts Center, Purchase College (The PAC), is a four theatre complex located on
the campus of Purchase College, SUNY, and is the major professional, nonprofit arts presenter in the southeastern New York and southwestern Connecticut region. For more than 40 years, The PAC has been the hub of a creative community that brings together internally acclaimed artists and rising stars, creative practitioners, civic and academic leaders, community activists, and an inspirational array of loyal volunteers and friends who recognize the power of investing in the performing arts to spark creativity and connection. To learn more about The PAC, visit artscenter.org or on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (X) @purchasepac.

The post Rob Mathes Celebrates 30 Years of Holiday Concerts with Three Special Shows at The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College appeared first on Food Rescue US.