HEALTHY FOODS CENTER

Health and hunger are two issues that many low-income families and individuals face in our community. The Healthy Foods Center is here to provide healthy alternatives and access to fresh produce for those experiencing the detrimental effects of hunger and food insecurity on their health.

The Healthy Foods Center is an onsite “medical referral” food pantry located inside Roadrunner Food Bank’s distribution center. It provides clients experiencing hunger and chronic illness(es) access to healthy foods, nutrition education, resources and other services.

How the Healthy Foods Center Works

The Center focuses on distributing fresh fruits and vegetables and providing access to healthy food items for those experiencing food insecurity alongside health issues such as:

  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • High blood pressure
  • Other chronic issues

Research shows that individuals who have restricted monthly income, including seniors and veterans, sometimes have to choose between buying food and paying for medical bills or medication, especially if they are experiencing a chronic health issue. Often if they do buy food, it is poor quality or fast food that exacerbates their health condition further.

Designated health clinics refer their clients to our Center based on the patient’s health issue(s) and chronic food insecurity. Clients with a referral are able to visit the Center weekly and are awarded the program for two years.

The Center is set up like a grocery store, where clients can “shop” for items that contribute to and promote a healthier diet, helping reduce their chronic health issue(s) and chronic hunger. Clients take the selected food items home to prepare meals.

Wrap Around Services at the Healthy Foods Center

The Center also offers wrap around services to people and patients served at the Healthy Foods Center. It includes access to:

In addition, the Healthy Foods Center also provides access to volunteer dietitians and nutritionists to offer advice, recommendations, recipes, and other resources to help our clients foster healthy lifestyles for themselves and their families.

Providing wrap around services is one way we can address the many needs of our clients facing chronic hunger and chronic health issues.

Demonstration Kitchen at the Healthy Foods Center

Inside the Healthy Foods Center, we provide an on-site demonstration kitchen. Partners like Kitchen Creations and the ICAN program provide clients with nutrition education, recipes, cooking activities and information about how to prepare healthier meals to improve clients overall health. Volunteer student dietitians on rotation also provide the Center nutrition education resources to share with clients.

Volunteer at the Healthy Foods Center

The Healthy Foods Center is always looking for volunteers to help when the Center is open to clients. Volunteers assist clients and families with:

  • check in
  • check out
  • client choice shopping
  • stocking activities
  • distribution prep
  • follow up calls
  • clean up

To learn more about the Healthy Foods Center, contact us.

See inside the
Healthy Foods Center
in this short video.