March is National Nutrition Month. Throughout the month, USDA will be highlighting results of our efforts to improve access to safe, healthy food for all Americans and supporting the health of our next generation.
Make no mistake: Hunger is a health issue. There are clear associations between food insecurity and poor health outcomes, and health providers across the country know that good health doesn’t depend solely on medical care. And this is where USDA comes in.
I frequently interact with community health organizations in the Mid-Atlantic region. Through conversations and the observations of physicians, community clinics and hospitals, we understand that USDA’s nutrition assistance programs are a natural partner to patient care. And so, in my region we created a platform for sharing ideas on how to target our nutrition programs at the places and with the people who directly provide health services in our communities.
We know that health care organizations are already doing impressive work combating obesity and hunger; they host farmers markets, sponsor SNAP incentive programs, promote healthy school meals and environments, support school breakfast expansion, and deliver nutrition and health education.
To share their best practices we started the Mid-Atlantic Healthy Communities Partner Network. Through quarterly webinars, outreach events and roundtables, we brought together more than 100 partner agencies in the region. The webinars are especially helpful at showcasing the many new and innovative ways health care organizations are leveraging USDA nutrition programs for the benefit of their patients and their communities. For the full article click here
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