Allegheny Health Network expanding healthy food center

Since opening in 2018 at West Penn Hospital, the region’s first Healthy Food Center has provided nearly 40,000 meals to patients and their families who lack access to nutritious food items, according to Highmark Health.

Allegheny Health Network will expand the effort’s reach, with the recent opening of a second center at Allegheny General Hospital.

Acting as a “food pharmacy” of nutritious food items, the center also provides patients and their families education on disease-specific diets and additional services for other social challenges they might face.

According to Feeding America, its network of food banks, pantries and meal programs serve nearly 40 million people each year facing food insecurity.

“We empathize with patients who are faced with having to prioritize other necessities over buying nutritious foods, and understand that this is a reality for many families. But, particularly for patients living with chronic health conditions such as heart disease and Type 2 diabetes, we also know that they simply can’t afford not to maintain healthy diets,” says Stuart Fisk, AHN Center for Inclusion Health director.

“With the great success of our first Healthy Food Center at West Penn, we look forward to bringing this unique resource to patients at AGH, linking food and medicine so that they can better manage their chronic conditions and lead healthier lives,” Fisk adds.

Forming healthier habits

Patients receiving a referral from a medical provider can visit AGH Healthy Food Center, located in the Allegheny Professional Building (Suite 103), to meet with an on-site dietitian to discuss their specific dietary needs.

Pittsburgh’s Northside residents also can receive referrals via community-based initiatives such as Thrive 18.

Patients receive two to three days’ worth of food for themselves and their household members, and may visit the Healthy Food Center once every 30 days for six months as part of their referral, with an option for renewal if needed. Patients also have access to educational resources, nutrition counseling and cooking classes, as well as social support services via the Center for Inclusion Health.

The West Penn Healthy Food Center program originally was piloted among diabetes patients who were screened as being food insecure.

“Maintaining a well-balanced, healthy diet can have a significant impact on blood glucose and blood pressure control. This has been the result for many of my patients with diabetes who previously faced a barrier in accessing healthy foods and now utilize the Healthy Food Center,” says Dr. Patricia Bononi, AHN Center for Diabetes and Endocrine Health medical director.

Food center partners include 412 Food Rescue, Gateway Health, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Highmark, The Food Trust and Travelers Aid of Pittsburgh.