{"id":172928,"date":"2026-02-28T16:16:06","date_gmt":"2026-02-28T16:16:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/172928\/"},"modified":"2026-02-28T16:16:06","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T16:16:06","slug":"feeding-tampa-bay-launches-new-health-focused-strategy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/172928\/","title":{"rendered":"Feeding Tampa Bay launches new health-focused strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Feeding Tampa Bay leaders are working on a new strategy focused on food\u2019s impact on health. It was presented Wednesday, as part of the Health and Hunger Summit, at the organization\u2019s Tampa-based Causeway Center.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The event brought in experts from various fields to discuss national and local consequences of food insecurity as a public health crisis \u2013 including University of South Florida Center for the Advancement of Food Security & Health Communities director David Himmelgreen.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cFood insecurity can be related to chronic diseases,\u201d he explained to the Catalyst. \u201cIt has become the leading cause of death.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Feeding Tampa Bay has prioritized two key opportunities, said the nonprofit\u2019s chief external affairs officer Lorena Hardwick. Both revolve around partnerships.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The organization began this week to provide medically tailored meals for BayCare Health System patients who have chronic conditions such as diabetes and obesity. \u201cFood is medicine both for prevention and treatment,\u201d Himmelgreen explained.\u00a0<\/p>\n

USF worked with Feeding Tampa Bay and Evara Health on a study to research the topic. It revolved around a prescription produce program.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The more frequently the patients received the food, he added, the better their health outcomes were. For example, diabetic participants were able to see a \u201csignificant\u201d improvement on their hemoglobin A1c tests, which show blood sugar levels.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Hardwick said that the BayCare pilot program features recipes curated and validated by registered dietitians. Participants will self-monitor their progress by using provided equipment to measure their blood pressure as well as their blood levels. BayCare\u2019s Community Benefit initiative will cover the costs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Additionally, Feeding Tampa Bay has opened a health clinic at its facility in partnership with Suncoast Community Health Centers. A physician is available Monday through Friday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Since it\u2019s a federally qualified clinic, she added, individuals without health insurance will be able to receive complementary service.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cSuncoast can now keep that continuity of care and get that neighbor patient into other services such as dental or x-ray imaging,\u201d Hardwick said. \u201cThis is so important when individuals who are uninsured or underinsured walk into the door. They are always hopping from one location to another.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Feeding Tampa Bay also operates a market and cafe. Its Groceries on the Go program provides discounted produce and whole foods to individuals via a truck.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are so many different drivers that can create a lot of chaos in our neighbors\u2019 lives,\u201d she explained. \u201cEspecially right now with a lot of the losses that families are seeing with programs like SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) or Medicaid.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Over four million people in Florida rely on Medicaid and over three million receive SNAP benefits \u2013 also known as food stamps.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Updating federal, state and local policy is essential moving forward, Hardwick emphasized. This includes housing and property insurance legislation. Additionally, lawmakers need to determine how to keep school lunch and summer meal programs accessible.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Income has \u201cnot kept up with\u201d the cost of living in the Tampa Bay region. \u201cWe start seeing people,\u201d she said, \u201chaving to make some really tough choices.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

A lack of nutrition can lead to expensive medical care. In fact, approximately $4.2 billion in annual healthcare costs are associated with food insecurity in the state.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are what you eat,\u201d explained 15th Street Farm founder Emmanuel Roux. \u201cThere\u2019s no way around that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The St. Petersburg-based nonprofit<\/a> focuses on community building. Roux and his team grow their own organic crops and host dinners on the property. Additionally, they have installed gardens at 15 schools.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The 15th Street Farm team grows their own organic crops. Photo: 15th Street Farm<\/p>\n

Making healthy food more accessible, he argued, depends on multiple factors including education. \u201cWe need to give lawmakers the tools to become informed.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The U.S. food industry is more concerned with profits rather than providing nutrient dense options, Roux added. Additionally, many consumers see food as a commodity and are trying to get the most value for their money.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He is currently working with the University of South Florida\u2019s Future of Food Think Tank <\/a>to mobilize the local food system.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The initiative is community-driven, said USF Research Development Institute associate director Miranda Mattingly. It currently has 190 members and works with 62 partners.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are trying to reach a 10 county scope and touch base with other networks,\u201d she explained. This can lead to cross conversations about challenges and successes in the region.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Many crops, such as lettuce, are grown across the country. Transportation, distribution and trading costs, Roux added, make the products more expensive.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Improving the local food system can increase resilience and have a regional economic impact, he said. More so, it can give people access to nutritious food quicker and more affordably.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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