News
October 14, 2020Food Farmacy to Support Patients Facing Food Insecurity
When it comes to nutrition and health, the equation is simple: better nutrition leads to better health. A healthy diet results in fewer complications and a decreased chance of readmission for recently discharged individuals. But for patients facing food insecurity, that “simple equation” can be fairly complex.
Today, Better Health for Northeast New York (BHNNY), in partnership with Catholic Charities Tri-County Services, announced the launch of an innovative Food Farmacy program to support food insecure patients after hospital or emergency department discharge(s).
The Food Farmacy will allow for recently discharged, food insecure individuals to receive healthy food supplies, nutritional counseling, and assistance with food benefit navigation at no cost. Patients identified as food insecure will be referred to the Food Farmacy for an appointment. The patient will work with a Food Navigator to arrange for three days’ worth of healthy food for themselves as well as others in the home who are dependent on them for nutritional support.
“Through the Food Farmacy and our partnership with Better Health for Northeast New York, we are able to address the need for nutritional support in the Albany area,” said Vincent W. Colonno, CEO of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany. “A healthy community begins with its people, and I am very pleased that Catholic Charities is a part of such an innovative solution. I look forward to seeing the positive results that this program will yield.”
The program also allows referred individuals to work with Registered Dietitian for further nutritional care planning and benefit navigation. It will provide up to four visits to the Food Farmacy. Upon completion, patients will be provided with materials to support their on-going nutritional health and referrals to other community food programs as needed.
Through proper follow-up nutrition support and planning, the Food Farmacy seeks to enhance a patient’s long-term health status and reduce avoidable readmissions.
It is conveniently located at 553 Clinton Ave., Albany, NY. Appointments are available by referral. The program and temporary food supplies are provided at no cost to the patients, and Food Farmacy staff may coordinate transportation to and from each scheduled visit as needed.
Patients or providers interested in learning more may call the program at (518) 818-0019.
