\n<\/p>\n
The Chestnut Street Community Center in Lebanon has become a hub for healthy eating, thanks to its community garden and fridge stocked with free, nutritious food. Angela Brownstein, a 52-year-old neighbor, was one of the first volunteers. Initially, she helped by putting food in the fridge, but due to changes in her income and rising living costs, she now relies on it for fresh produce.<\/p>\n
Brownstein shares, \u201cI used to help stock it, but now I go there to pick up tomatoes and cucumbers for my family of nine.\u201d Supported by the Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine\u2019s Food As Medicine Initiative, this community fridge has been a significant resource for residents. \u201cIt\u2019s made a huge difference in our diets,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n
The Food As Medicine Initiative aims to connect people with healthy food and the knowledge necessary to prevent and manage diseases related to diet, such as diabetes and heart disease.<\/p>\n
Food As Medicine is gaining traction nationwide, influencing how health care systems address food access. This initiative at Penn State Health and the College of Medicine integrates community programs, healthcare, and research to foster healthier lifestyles while generating evidence to enhance future care. With 24 gardens and six community fridges across six counties, they collaborate with more than 100 community partners to provide healthy food to those in need.<\/p>\n
Laurie Crawford, the program manager for food access at Penn State Health, emphasizes that it\u2019s about more than just planting gardens. \u201cWe are building a strong network of food access and sustainable options for our community,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n
Their various efforts, including community gardens and cooking classes, not only address immediate needs but also contribute to ongoing research about their impact.<\/p>\n
\u201cFood As Medicine works towards healthier individuals, families, and communities,\u201d says Amber Coleman, director of community health at Penn State Health. \u201cOur approach combines community programs with valuable research to improve health.\u201d<\/p>\n
Providing access to healthy food is just the beginning; people also need the skills to prepare it. The Food As Medicine initiative includes hands-on cooking classes that teach community members, patients, and healthcare workers how to make nutritious meals.<\/p>\n
At a recent cooking class, participants learned how to create healthy dishes such as lentil burgers and tropical fruit salad. Susan Veldheer, an associate professor involved in the program, notes, \u201cWe focus on teaching practical skills that help people cook affordable meals suitable for their busy lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
Attending the class was Jen Curry, a nurse working with young cancer patients, who sought new methods to encourage families to enjoy healthy foods, especially since treatment can change taste preferences.<\/p>\n
\u201cI now have more ideas on how to create appealing meals, like blending fruits and vegetables into smoothies,\u201d she says, highlighting the impact of the training.<\/p>\n
For those facing urgent food needs, the initiative also offers emergency food boxes at several healthcare sites.<\/p>\n
The team at Penn State College of Medicine is actively researching the best ways to implement Food As Medicine programs. Leading studies, Veldheer is assessing how produce prescriptions and nutrition education can effectively improve health outcomes and manage chronic diseases.<\/p>\n
Through these efforts, researchers, healthcare providers, and community members are working together to ensure access to nutritious food and promote healthier living.<\/p>\n
Brownstein remains devoted to her local community. She continues to volunteer at the Chestnut Street Community Center, where she assists with food donations and shares gardening experiences with her grandchildren. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a collective effort with Penn State Health to make our community healthier,\u201d notes Laurie Funk, founder of the center.<\/p>\n
Improving food access and nutrition security is a fundamental aspect of Penn State Health’s commitment to promoting health equity. Through initiatives like Food As Medicine, they are helping build a healthier future for everyone in the community.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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