Penn State Health Initiative Improves Healthy Food Access and Education

Part of Hershey, Pa.-based Penn State Health’s strategy to improve wellness and disease prevention is providing relief for families experiencing food insecurity and improving their access to and education about healthy food. In Penn State Health’s most recent community health needs assessment, 12.7% of respondents noted they are worried about having enough food, a concern that the health system’s assessments have consistently identified. Food insecurity can lead to obesity, hypertension and mental health disorders.

In response, Penn State Health has partnered closely with community organizations and grant funders at over 80 locations within food deserts across the health system’s six-county service area. The variety and depth of the programs offered by these collaborations have evolved over the past 10 years based on community experiences and input.

These efforts are demonstrating positive outcomes today. For example:

• Fifteen community gardens offer fruits and vegetables, as well as the physical and mental health benefits of gardening and being out in nature.
• The Pantries and Wellness Support program, which provides health education and comprehensive cardiovascular testing at 10 local pantries and other community access points, has helped bridge the gap between hunger and health and reduce participants’ blood pressure.
• Veggie RX is offered in partnership with federally qualified health centers to participants with diabetes. Expanded from one to three historically marginalized communities, this program has demonstrated reduced A1C readings in participants.
• Other complimentary initiatives include community fridges, farm stand/markets, food boxes, coupons and pantries, and produce distribution.
• In 2023, the health system’s programs to reduce hunger and address food insecurity reached over 30,000 community members.

Partnering with its community, Penn State Health hopes to ultimately reach the larger goal of eliminating hunger. Learn more.