Simply Healthcare Foundation Partners with Treasure Coast Food Bank to Grow Feeding America’s “Food as Medicine” Initiative Across Florida’s Treasure Coast 

Fort Pierce, FL – Simply Healthcare Foundation is partnering with Treasure Coast Food Bank to help tackle food insecurity across Florida’s Treasure Coast region by contributing more than $112,000 toward Feeding America’s “Food As Medicine” initiative. On Tuesday, September 10, the Treasure Coast Food Bank hosted a “Food as Medicine” Town Hall where regional health care leaders and Simply Healthcare participated in discussions on how food security can transform communities.

Feeding America’s “Food As Medicine” initiative aims to transform how health care providers address food insecurity by incorporating food assistance directly into patient care. This approach enables health care providers to identify and support patients facing food insecurity during their visits, offering them immediate access to nutritional resources on-site or through community-based food pantries and meal programs. As a member of Feeding America’s network of more than 200 food banks, Treasure Coast Food Bank is utilizing the “Food As Medicine” initiative to expand its reach and meet the needs of the most at-risk populations in Florida’s Treasure Coast region.

“Simply Healthcare understands that health goes beyond medical care – it’s fundamentally linked to access to nutritious food,” said Dana Gryniuk, Medicaid President of Simply Healthcare Plans. “Through our collaboration with the Treasure Coast Food Bank and Feeding America’s ‘Food as Medicine’ initiative, we are not just addressing immediate food insecurity, but fostering a sustainable approach to wellness. By integrating nutritional support directly into health care, we are empowering individuals and families across the Treasure Coast to take control of their health, while helping them improve both their quality of life and longevity.”

Throughout September, Treasure Coast Food Bank is championing Hunger Action Month, a month-long campaign to raise awareness and mobilize efforts to combat food insecurity along Florida’s Treasure Coast. In this region, 1 in 4 individuals, including children, face hunger and food insecurity. Okeechobee County, served by the Treasure Coast Food Bank, is among the top 20 counties in Florida, with the highest child food insecurity rate at 23.8%.

“Access to nutritious food is essential to our neighbor's overall health, and we are grateful for the support from Simply Healthcare Foundation. This contribution to our Food as Medicine initiatives allows us to expand our FRESHCare Rx medically tailored meals and food security screening programs,” said Judith Cruz, President and CEO of Treasure Coast Food Bank. “Together, we can transform the health and well-being of the Treasure Coast community, ensuring that everyone has not just enough food—but the right food—to live a healthy, vibrant life.”

The “Food As Medicine” national program has made significant strides, particularly in 2023. 21 Feeding America food banks participated in the program, screening more than 200,000 individuals for food insecurity, identifying more than 90,000 who faced food scarcity and providing food to more than 40,000 individuals. This Feeding America initiative has established food pantries, offered prepackaged food pickup at health care facilities, granted produce prescriptions, expanded nutrition education and facilitated home food delivery. Simply Healthcare’s donation will continue to propel these efforts forward, enabling the program's expansion to reach even more Florida families and individuals in need.

To learn more about Feeding America’s “Food as Medicine” program and its impact, visit www.FeedingAmerica.org.

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