Midland Health and West Texas Food Bank (WTBF) announced a joint effort to introduce a plant-forward food program to help individuals living with serious illnesses.
Known as Food FARMacy, the program educates hospital patients with conditions like diabetes and heart disease on the benefits of healthy eating habits. Eligible patients receive information about the Food FARMacy program from social workers where they are then referred to become participants of the program.
Located at WTFB Midland, participants are introduced to new plant-forward recipes and are given the opportunity to watch a step-by-step cooking session where the plant-forward recipe is made in front of attendees. Attendees are also able to shop at the Food FARMacy where tours are available by WTFB External Programs Manager Kayla White to walk the patient through the different produce options. White is a registered dietitian and is trained to approach clients with personalized nutrition based on the patient’s medical needs and conditions.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, lower food security is associated with higher probability of chronic disease diagnosis — including hypertension, coronary heart disease, hepatitis, stroke, cancer, asthma, diabetes, arthritis, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and kidney disease. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states consuming a diet abundant in fruits and vegetables can serve as a defense against various severe and expensive chronic conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and obesity.
Midland Health Community Relations Coordinator Taylor Wiedenfeld highlights the inspiration for the creation and collaboration of the Food FARMacy program through emailed statements with Midland Times. “We saw successes from other food pharmacies across the country, and we knew that together, we have the capability of providing a food farmacy to our community and learning how the program can grow.”
When asked about the long-term goals and aspirations for the Food FARMacy program, Wiedenfeld told Midland Times, “The long-term goal is to help our community access nutritious foods and fuel their bodies. Living with a chronic illness can be challenging, but fueling your body with healthy plant-forward foods can help improve wellness for this population.”
Wiedenfeld goes on to discuss the approach Midland Health had when creating the program. “We want the community to learn about nourishing their body with the necessary nutrients to improve their health. Creating these lifestyle changes starts small but, over time, significantly impacts a person’s overall health as they feel more comfortable. We don’t want access to healthy foods to stand in a person’s way of their health journey.
“We are thankful to the West Texas Food Bank and their excitement about collaborating on a Food Pharmacy,” said Wiedenfeld. “Both organizations were excited to develop a process and pull our resources together to provide the food our community with chronic illnesses needs access to.”
The Food FARMacy is scheduled to operate twice a month at the Midland West Texas Food Bank, located at 1601 Westcliff Drive.
The West Texas Food Bank operates as a non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to hunger relief. As the largest collaborative non-profit agency in the Permian Basin, the organization distributes both donated and purchased food to children, families, and seniors. Their network of over 100 partners spans across 34,000 square miles of West Texas. Through their Partner Agencies, Drive-Thru Mobile Pantries, Food 2 Kids Programs, Produce Pod, and the Mobile Outreach Program, the organization provides nourishment to those in need.
For over 70 years, Midland Health has been dedicated to delivering quality healthcare to the residents of Midland County and the surrounding region. As a collaborative effort among area healthcare partners, Midland Health holds a mission to lead healthcare for greater Midland and a vision of making Midland the healthiest community in Texas. Midland Health strives to achieve these goals by working together with its staff, volunteers, facilities, and services.
To learn more about the Food FARMacy program, visit the West Texas Food Bank and Midland Health website or call: 432-221-4510.