Supporters like the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey understand that providing nutritious food is key in addressing serious health conditions among our neighbors in need. About 28% of households served by the FoodBank have at least one member with diabetes, while as many as 57% have one or more members with high blood pressure. High incidence of chronic disease and lack of access to healthy options among food insecure individuals make partnerships like this invaluable as we seek to address hunger as a health issue.
The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey’s grant helps fund the fresh produce that we provide as part of Food, Health and Hope: An Answer to Diabetes. Specifically, the Foundation’s generosity has enabled the expansion of these distributions, allowing us to give out more fruits and vegetables at more diabetes initiative sites throughout Essex County, especially in high-need areas like Newark, Irvington, and Orange, where there’s less access to the tools and food needed to prevent or self-manage the condition.
“We at HFNJ are proud to support this important work,” said Marsha Atkind, HFNJ Executive Director/CEO. “We understand that health and wellness are a function of many things – not the least of which is having a healthful diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Thank you to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey and its partners for working together to improve the lives of the most vulnerable of our friends and neighbors in Essex County.”
Twice per month, current participants and program alumni receive an array of seasonal produce to help improve their eating habits and reduce their A1C levels. Combined with free medical screenings by the Summit Medical Group Foundation and nutrition and chronic disease self-management education, Food, Health and Hope: An Answer to Diabetes seeks to instill healthy lifestyles among those in need living with diabetes or pre-diabetes.
“Many of our neighbors in need are working families who are forced to make tough choices every day in order to make ends meet,” said Carlos Rodriguez, President & CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “This often means choosing inexpensive and unhealthy food to get by. Support from partners like the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey is essential as we work to provide nutritious food and improve quality of life for our neighbors in need, particularly those living with chronic health conditions.”