75 years ago, countries across the globe came together to establish the World Health Organization (WHO). Over the past seven and a half decades, WHO has led coordinated global responses to health crises, served the vulnerable with scientific advancements and medicine, and promoted collective public health for all.
To celebrate World Health Day on April 7, we want to highlight how Feeding Tampa Bay is working to honor the WHO’s goal of Health for All. The concept is holistic, much like our own organization’s vision for the future. It focuses on improving people’s overall state of well-being so that they can lead lives that are productive and socially/economically fulfilling. For FTB, this means going beyond just providing food to our neighbors. We imagine a future that is cooperative and resilient; one where neighbors can come to us and easily access the resources and support they need for self-sustainability.
Here are a few ways in which we are expanding our reach:
Greater support
Though we operate as a food bank, we know that food alone will not end hunger. Rather, a myriad of factors may contribute to someone’s decision or ability to visit our warehouse or one of our pantry sites.
So how are we tackling this web of interconnected issues?
By providing our neighbors with resources like an onsite health clinic, our Publix community market, and staff who are eager to share their expertise on benefits such as SNAP and WIC. Moreover, our new facility – slated for completion in 2024 – will include access to financial counseling, a 4th Trinity Cafe location, and space for our community partners to collaborate on ideas and new projects.
Food as Medicine
Since 2019, FTB and Baycare have worked together under the guiding belief that good health depends on access to good food. The FoodRx program brings nutrient-rich foods directly to patients at local BayCare clinics for free. Medical providers screen patients who are food insecure and have a co-occurring chronic condition. The patients then receive personally tailored prescriptions that they’ll use at an onsite food pharmacy. There, they can collect foods aimed at improving/managing their diagnoses.
Additionally, BayCare offers patients “healing bags” filled with 2-3 days worth of non-perishable food items provided by Feeding Tampa Bay as well as information about other community resources.
More Programs
Health is more than just the absence of illness or injury. Instead, it’s a state of physical, mental, and social well-being. That’s why we’re committed to expanding the programs that offer our neighbors a path to self-sustainability. Our FRESHforce program trains participants in workforce skills across 4 different areas – culinary arts, truck driving, barista training, and warehouse logistics. The goal is to empower our neighbors to build stable futures. That way, they can access food for a lifetime, enhancing their overall well-being.
Knowledge as Power
FTB is committed to enhancing nutrition education. Our program zeros in on ways to eat and cook healthier, shop smarter, and utilize SNAP more effectively. With these tools, we hope that our neighbors will be able to make more informed decisions about the food they eat!
The WHO’s vision of Health for All guides us in our mission of creating innovative and sustainable public health solutions. Food is an integral component to achieve physical health, but it is also essential to a person’s social and mental wellbeing. This world health day, we’re honoring our organization’s efforts to holistically enhance the quality of our neighbors’ lives.