How Philadelphia Health Systems and Community-Based Organizations Responded to Rising Food Insecurity Rates during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Food insecurity has always been a problem in greater Philadelphia, but the COVID-19 pandemic has complicated the crisis. More people are struggling to access enough food for their families, and food distribution sites now have new challenges to keep staff, volunteers, and community members safe. Here’s a look at how some of the hospitals and community-based organizations who participate in COACH have acted quickly to respond to this crisis.

In July 2020, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) partnered with the St. Christopher’s Foundation for Children to launch Farm to Families, a cost-subsidized community-supported agriculture program (CSA) that operates weekly at CHOP’s Karabots and Cobbs Creek Pediatric Care Centers and Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care. Farm to Families provides families with a free box of organic fruits and vegetables. Click here to read more about the program.

In September 2020, Einstein Health Network and Philabundance brought back “Fresh For All, “ the weekly produce market where fresh fruits and vegetables are distributed for free on the hospital campus. The program, which was on hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, started back September 8 with new safety precautions for participants and volunteers. Fresh for All is now offered every Tuesday morning starting at 10 a.m. at a new location: 5500 block North 11th Street, between Tabor Road and Clarkson Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19141, on the Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia campus. Click here to read more about this partnership.

*Photo description: Switching out their PPE gowns out for aprons, nursing staff at HUP recognize the importance of proper nutrition reaching the seriously ill with programs such as MANNA.*

In November 2020, 15 staff members from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) volunteered their time to help prep meals for those in need. With the skyrocketing numbers of food insecurity in Philadelphia, healthcare systems recognize the healing effects of proper nutrition for people with serious illnesses and the vital role volunteers play in operations.