Healthcare facilities are recognizing that food insecurity is linked to chronic illness and poverty, according to an article on the Health Facilities Maintenance website.
Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock is one of the many hospitals implementing programs to reduce food insecurity.
In 2016, Arkansas Children’s on-site garden produced more than 1,790 pounds of produce, which was delivered to the local Helping Hand pantry for redistribution.
In partnership with the USDA, the hospital also has distributed more than 60,000 packed lunches to children during hospital or clinical visits since 2013.