St. Joseph’s Health will continue and expand its Food Farmacy program through Mother Cabrini Health Foundation funding. The funds will expand activities related to food Insecurities, chronic conditions, and social determinants of health throughout Syracuse.
In 2021, St. Joseph’s Health launched the Food Farmacy program to support patients with uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes who were also experiencing food insecurity.
Utilizing lessons learned from the Food Farmacy’s pilot, St. Joseph’s Health expanded the program’s scope in 2023 by increasing from one to three Food Farmacy sites found at Primary Care Centers Main and West, and Outpatient Behavioral Health.
“We are honored by the generosity of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, for their continued support to addresses the pressing social and health needs of our communities,” said Meredith Price, senior vice president of hospital operations at St. Joseph’s Health. “With aligned missions to serve at risk or underserved populations, the new Food Farmacy structure is key to address unique obstacles faced by our patients and will work to optimize care, increase community benefit, and program access through collaboration.”
The program now accepts patients with at least one chronic health condition who are also experiencing food insecurity. Program participants work directly with a registered dietitian and a community health worker to receive medical nutrition therapy and other nutrition education. Meals are also provided, helping to improve the availability of healthy food options. Also, the community health worker assists program participants with identifying and accessing social care resources.
Another feature of the enhanced Food Farmacy program is occurring outside the brick-and-mortar walls of St. Joseph’s Health, where a network of community-based organizations serves the residents of Syracuse.
St. Joseph’s Health is partnering with Brady Market, Dunbar Association, Syracuse Northeast Community Center and Westcott Community Center to identify at-risk individuals and support those with chronic health conditions by screening for food insecurity, providing social support, and assisting with transportation needs, unemployment, and other social determinants of health. Network partners will place community health workers at strategic sites for improved access for residents who live in pockets of poverty.
“St. Joseph’s Health understands the need to address health inequities and social determinants of health, as they are root causes of many chronic diseases,” said Brian Fay, executive director, Syracuse Northeast Community Center. “The enhanced Food Farmacy program and our partners are working together to address the largest factors that impact health including social and economic factors, physical environment, and healthy behaviors, such as job status, physical activity, and nutrition.”
“We are excited to be a part of this important community program,” said Joan Royle, Executive Director from Westcott Community Center. “The proven link between a poor diet and poor health outcomes is often made worse by fast foods and less-nutritious corner store options that are common in food deserts where it is difficult to access affordable, healthy foods. This program will not only help address food insecurity, but it will also offer education for participants who might benefit from more nutritious meals that impact chronic conditions sensitive to the quality of foods they consume.”
To learn more about the Food Farmacy at St. Joseph’s Health, call 315-448-6470.