‘Food is medicine’ — New mobile pantry delivers healthy fare, nutritional education to needy
Palm Beach County Food Bank launches innovative program with ceremony at Lake Worth Beach warehouse
NEEDY RESIDENTS LACKING consistent access to healthy food and nutritional education are getting help from an innovative mobile pantry program launched by the Lake Worth Beach-based Palm Beach County Food Bank.
There are roughly 192,000 food-insecure residents in the county, including many outside the reach of existing pantry networks. The food bank’s free Food & Nutrition Program aims to fill those gaps by bringing food directly to residents while also providing education that promotes nutrition and long term health.
“This program represents a significant step forward in how we serve Palm Beach County,’’ food bank CEO Jamie Kendall said March 4 at a ribbon-cutting ceremony with dozens of dignitaries outside the food bank’s Boutwell Road warehouse.
“We’re not only delivering food where it’s needed most. We are pairing it with education and medically tailored options to support long-term health,’’ she said.
Here’s how it works:
A truck equipped with a mini kitchen, food baskets and nutritional experts makes monthly visits to neighborhoods around the county. The visits last about two hours.
At the site, residents complete a brief questionnaire, allowing the food bank to tailor food selections to their health needs. For example, people managing chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension will receive food aligned with recommended dietary guidelines.
But for the first 30 to 60 minutes before food is distributed, a Florida Department of Health nutritionist will offer counseling on meal planning and reading food labels and perform live cooking demonstrations of affordable healthy recipes.
“By combining access to nutritious food with practical education, we are empowering families to make healthier choices,’’ said Dr. Jyothi Gunta, director of the Florida Department of Health’s Palm Beach County office.
The program costs more than $1 million a year, paid for in part by federal American Rescue Plan Act allocations to the county. Two other partners, Baptist Health and Florida Blue Foundation, are helping pay for the medically-tailored food boxes.
“The mobile distribution is innovative. It’s maximizing use of our locally grown produce and focusing on healthy eating and not just caloric intake,’’ said Deputy County Administrator Tammy Fields.
“Our goal is not just to provide food but to promote healthy eating choices by offering access to locally grown produce and nutrition education. With this holistic approach, we aim to improve healthy outcomes,’’ she said.
A soft launch started a few months ago. Organizers hope to expand their reach with additional money.
“Food is medicine. However, grocery inflation has significantly increased the costs of these specialized high-nutrient items,’’ said County Commissioner Marci Woodward.
“Additional funding is critical to scale these clinical partnerships and ensure that thousands of neighbors struggling with diet-related health conditions receive the exact nutrition required for their wellness,’’ she said.
To register for the program, click this link and select “Apply Here for Assistance.”
For now, monthly food distributions are held at the three sites:
First Tuesday every month
Florida Department of Health
1150 45th St., West Palm Beach
Nutrition Education Class 9:15 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Food distribution 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Second Thursday every month
Lantana Branch Library
4020 Lantana Road, Lantana
Nutrition Education Class 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Food distribution 1:30 p.m to 3 p.m.
Fourth Wednesday every month
Personal Physician Care
4800 Linton Blvd., F-7, Delray Beach
Nutrition Education Class 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Food distribution 1:30 p.m to 3 p.m.
Launched in 2012, the food bank collects food from grocery stores, farmers, food distributors, wholesalers and other sources and distributes it to more than 200 local partners including food pantries, soup kitchen and schools.
Last year the food bank distributed more than 10.6 million meals to over 194,000 residents experiencing hunger.