Rowan County North Carolina (WBTV) – The GlaxoSmithKline Foundation Children’s Health Recognition Awards Program of North Carolina has been launched by the Rowan County Health Department (RCHD) in partnership with China Grove’s Main Street Marketplace through a pilot mobile food pharmacy program. Honored for addressing childhood obesity and malnutrition. RCHD is one of her three health departments in North Carolina to receive this award.
Overweight and obese children are more likely to remain overweight into adulthood and develop other conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Then comes the challenge. You may have to choose cheaper, less healthy foods to pay for unpaid medical bills, rent, or transportation needs. More than 50 percent of her Rowan County children live in low-income families, putting them at risk of being undernourished and overweight or obese.
Through the Health Department, the Healthy Rowan Coalition has identified nutrition insecurity as a priority area to address the rise in chronic disease. It’s not just about food, it’s about getting the right food and the whole family involved. This is most likely due to general dietary knowledge. “Children are more likely to eat fruit and vegetables if their family prepares and eats them at home. The same is true for most health behaviors,” says Healthy Rowan Lifestyle. Medicine Manager Jen West says.
“When designing the food pharmacy pilot program, it was very important to identify the right organization to take the lead. Main Street Marketplace is that organization,” said Community Health Director for the Rowan County Health Department. says Courtney Meath.
Main Street Marketplace, a member organization of the Healthy Rowan Coalition, a community pillar addressing the intersection of hunger, health and poverty, took on the project with great enthusiasm. Hope Olyphant, director of Main Street Marketplace, says he’s working with the board and members of the community to transition food from his pantry to a unique grocery store using a model based on his sliding scale. had a vision.
“Everyone is welcome to shop at the market in a dignified manner, regardless of income. Our organization’s vision is to create healthier, stronger communities through relationships, education, and access to resources to foster long-term impact. This highlights the importance of increasing access to healthier foods for all residents. The food pharmacy is enabled to expand its vision through an innovative and holistic model in partnership with local medical facilities, health departments, Healthy Rowan Coalition, Cooperative Extension, YMCA and Pedal Factory. Food Lion also made financial donations to food pharmacies to bring more fresh food to our family homes. “
Families referred to Mobile Food Pharmacy pre-order selected (3) meal kits and fill out prescriptions once a week. Meal kits contain healthy recipes and ingredients to make those recipes. Patient pays $30 upon pick up. SNAP/EBT is accepted. On average, patients in this pilot program save 55% on meal kits compared to other local grocery stores. Opportunities to taste-test seasonal meal kit recipes such as lentil vegetable soup, taco salad, and blueberry spinach smoothie will be offered at each food pharmacy pickup.
Patients are encouraged to participate in the Living Healthy Program, a six-week chronic disease self-management program focused on lifestyle education and self-care activities. The pilot now serves 10 of her households, all of whom are working with food pharmacy staff to refine recipes and delivery models to gain insights on improving health.
Brianna Caraccio, Food Pharmacy & Market Manager at Main Street Marketplace, shared how grateful she was to receive positive feedback from participants about the program. she said: Another single mother of three boys shared how the program helped her children eat healthy meals without worrying about going shopping after a long day at work . “
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