Adventist HealthCare’s commitment to the health of our community extends beyond treatment for illness or injury. Whole-health care also means ensuring that families are properly nourished.
Adventist HealthCare’s Food as Medicine program, funded by grants from the Montgomery County Office of Food Systems Resilience, addresses that need for Montgomery County families.
According to a report by the Capital Area Food Bank, 34% of Montgomery County residents are experiencing food insecurity. In response to this pressing issue, the grants team at Adventist HealthCare created the Food as Medicine program in partnership with community organizations including Manna Food Center, One Acre Farm, Giant Food, Mary’s Center, Mercy Health Clinic and the Muslim Community Center Medical Clinic.
Focus on the Family
The program is open to Montgomery County families with at least one child, who are referred by a medical professional. Participating families receive food weekly at sites alternating between Gaithersburg and Silver Spring.
At a recent distribution at Mary’s Center, children from different families played with each other as their parents picked up their nourishing food. Families will often pick up for others when they can’t attend the events.
“It’s a real community,” said Adventist HealthCare Grants Director Henry Artigues.
In addition to fresh produce, meats and pantry staples, the program team also provides dignity and respect.
“No one wants to ask for things when you’re struggling,” Henry said. “You want to feel like you’re talking to a friend.”
The families feel that personal touch.
“What I appreciate the most is the kindness of those people,” one participant shared. “They are doing an exceptional job. … If you cannot come to pick up your food, they will deliver it. They are good listeners – they care for what they are doing.”
Feeding and Educating
The program provides families with:
- Weekly fresh vegetables
- Monthly boxes of shelf-stable food like whole-grain pasta, beans, canned vegetables, frozen meats and fish
- Ongoing nutrition education via text, email and in-person classes
- Assistance enrolling in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other food programs
Manna Food Center provides the dry goods and proteins, while the fresh vegetables come from One Acre Farm. In September, a new grant allowed Adventist HealthCare to purchase a refrigerated van for the program, which “is really going to boost our ability to deliver for the families that we serve,” Henry noted.
Making a Real Impact
Since the program’s inception in 2024, the program has made a real difference for families in Montgomery County.
The program distributed 20,835 total pounds of food in its first year and 19,530 well into year two – a total of 40,365 pounds
To date, 412 households in Montgomery County have benefited from the program
The program has helped nourish a total of 901 children in these households
Looking to the Future
While the program’s focus and funding has come from Montgomery County, Adventist HealthCare is looking to grow its impact. The health system has applied for additional funding from the county to expand the program and met with Prince George’s County council members about bringing the program to that area.
“We’re providing a valuable resource to the community.” Henry said. “I’d like to see it expand.”
Learn more about Adventist HealthCare’s community-focused programs at AHCYou.com/W26Community.
