(Natrona Heights, PA) Allegheny Health Network’s (AHN) Center for Inclusion Health announced today the opening at Allegheny Valley Hospital of the network’s sixth Healthy Food Center. The opening marks yet another expansion milestone for this one-of-a-kind program in the western Pennsylvania region and increases access to nutritious food for residents of Pittsburgh’s eastern suburbs and the surrounding area.

The Healthy Food Center acts as a “food pharmacy” where patients who are food insecure and often struggle to properly manage health conditions can obtain free, nutritious food items, as well as education on disease-specific diets. Patients are also connected with various community-based resources to help address other social challenges they might face.

The first Center debuted in 2018 at AHN West Penn Hospital, followed by locations at Allegheny General, Jefferson, Saint Vincent and Forbes hospitals. To date, AHN Healthy Food Centers has served more than 27,500 patients and their family members, providing over 275,000 meals.

Food insecurity refers to the lack of consistent access to nutritious foods, which are necessary for maintaining an active, healthy life. According to Feeding America, an estimated 34 million Americans, including 9 million children, will face food insecurity this year.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us just how fragile food security is in the U.S., and that there are many families among us who are vulnerable to hunger and poor nutrition,” said Colleen Ereditario MPH, RD, LDN, program manager for the AHN Healthy Food Center for the Center for Inclusion Health. “With the proven success of the Healthy Food Center model at AHN, we’re pleased to further expand the program to our neighbors in the Alley-Kiski Valley and look forward to positively impacting the overall health and wellbeing of this region’s communities.”

AHN clinicians screen patients for food insecurity by asking if they have been worried about adequate food supply in the last 12 months, or if they have experienced financial hardships that have prevented them from purchasing enough monthly groceries for the entire household. Patients are also screened for other social barriers they might face which impact their ability to access healthy foods such as a lack of transportation.

Patients who receive a referral from a medical provider can visit the Healthy Food Center at AVH – located near the cafeteria on the hospital’s 1st floor. After shopping at the center for the recommended food items, patients go home with two to three days’ worth of food for all members of their household. Patients may visit the Healthy Food Center once every 30 days for six months as part of their referral.

“People who have healthier eating habits and access to nutritious foods have better overall health and have an easier time managing chronic health issues such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and obesity,” said Mark Rubino, MD, president, AVH. “Allegheny Valley is uniquely positioned to make a difference for many food-insecure families who live in the communities we serve, and through our new Healthy Food Center, we’ll be better equipped to assist our patients and their families on their journeys toward improved health and wellness.”