The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano is proud to be collaborating with Food As Medicine, a group of physicians in the Contra Costa County medical system, to make nutritious food more accessible to the low-income patients they serve.
As their name implies, the physicians linked to Food As Medicine believe proper nutrition can help the country’s obesity and type 2 diabetes epidemic. Both organizations understand that one’s economic status often has a direct correlation with the level of nourishment they receive. Empty calories commonly cost less than whole foods packed with essential nutrients and vitamins.
The Food Bank is now running a farmers’ market style food give-away twice a month in San Pablo and Pittsburg.
San Pablo’s distributions occur at the West County Health Center on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month between 2:00pm and 3:00 pm.
Pittsburg distributions occur at the Pittsburg Health center WIC on the first and third Thursdays of the month between 1:30pm and 3:00pm.
Qualified households can pick up approximately 20 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables and recipients are encouraged to bring one or two bags with handles.
“It’s a positive experience to see the physicians be excited by what we can contribute to their efforts to improve people’s health,” said Larry Sly of the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.
The Food Bank is happy to work more closely with health care providers as the trend of doctors “prescribing” fruits and vegetables increases. Together we can combat costly, preventable diseases and improve the overall health and wellbeing of our society.
For more information regarding food distribution qualifications, visit foodbankccs.org or call 1-855-309-FOOD.
