Comfort Food Community has launched a new produce prescription program in partnership with Glens Falls Hospital. This 5-month program, running from June to October, provides eligible patients with fresh, locally grown produce and nutritional counseling, promoting healthy eating habits and overall wellness.
“Here at Comfort Food Community, we have a community health team, and it’s important for us to look at food access from a holistic perspective,” said Alyssa Place, communications coordinator. “So it’s not just about giving people the food they need, but also about considering the health component and all the aspects that affect people’s lifestyles.”
The goal of the program is to improve the health of people in the community who are experiencing both food insecurity and chronic diseases (at risk or diagnosed), while facilitating connection to the local food system. There are currently 60 participants enrolled in the program.
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To be eligible for the program, participants must be evaluated and referred by a Care Manager at one of Glens Falls Hospital’s participating health centers in Granville, Whitehall, Hudson Falls, Greenwich, Salem or Cambridge.
“We are thrilled to partner with Comfort Food Community on this initiative,” said Deb Marques-Seaman, RN, manager of community care coordination at Glens Falls Hospital, in a press release. “Our goal is to provide our patients with the resources they need to make healthy lifestyle choices, and this program is an important step in that direction.”
Once qualified for the program, participants receive $25 in coupons each month to spend on a variety of eligible items, including fruits, vegetables, dairy, meats and more, at over fifteen merchants throughout Washington County. Participating merchants include Argyle Cheese Farmer, BJ’s Farm Stands, the Cambridge Food CoOp and more.
Lyndsey Brainerd, Community Health Outreach Coordinator at Comfort Food Community, added, “We are excited to bring this innovative program to our community. By providing patients with fresh, locally grown produce and nutrition education, we hope to make high-quality, healthy food easily accessible to more community members.”
Transportation barriers in particular are a constant challenge for many members of rural communities due to a lack of public transportation, long commutes to grocery stores and food vendors, limited access to vehicles, and/or participants’ inability to drive themselves, Place explained. “As we look to the future of this program, we hope to continue to address transportation barriers with creative solutions to better support our participants.”
To learn more about the Produce Prescription Program or to inquire about eligibility and registration information, you can contact Lyndsey Brainerd of Comfort Food Community or a Care Manager at one of Glens Falls Hospital’s participating health centers.
Nayanika Guha is a staff writer. Reach her at 518-742-3272; [email protected].
