FAHC Community Grant Awardees

Vermont’s Giving Fridge in collaboration with the University of Vermont Health Network Porter Medical Center Primary Care Middlebury was awarded $19,333. The Giving Fridge will be installed and stocked with fresh, nutritious medically tailored meals prepared by local chefs and restaurants. Patients experiencing food insecurity that have a special health need may be prescribed a prescription to access up to four medically tailored meals per week. The Giving Fridge not only addresses food insecurity and health, it supports local food systems and the economy by hiring local chefs and restaurants to prepare the meals using ingredients primarily from local farms.

Sheldon Methodist Church Food Shelf The SMC Food Shelf was awarded $19,333 and in collaboration with Northern Tier Center for Health (NOTCH) will identify patients with chronic, diet-related conditions who could benefit from improved nutrition and dietary help. Meals kits will include healthy staples as well as other shelf-stable food items. NOTCH will distribute to patients during clinic visits and will monitor chronic care management encounters. Patients will have access to ongoing in-person educational opportunities at various sites through NOTCH such as nutrition education, cooking classes, and food demonstrations.

Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund was awarded $19,333 for a needs assessment led by Dr. Deborah Kennedy will take a deep dive into Food Is Medicine initiatives across Vermont. The results will inform what is needed to create sustainable change from the individual level to the system level. The information gathered will inform what trainings and materials are needed to support FIM initiatives in VT, identify how well the current referral, delivery and service protocols are working and examine if the current systems of care are working efficiently.