A new partnership to address food insecurity for pregnant women has been formed. Bassett Healthcare Network and the Cooperstown Food Pantry are providing pregnant patients who are struggling financially with weekly groceries to create nutritious meals and feed not only themselves and their fetus, but also their families.
“There is a great need in our community for this. And, you know, for women who are pregnant, having babies, growing families, providing these food supplies really impacts, you know, future generations in a way that is unique and beneficial,” said Sarah Maylin, a licensed midwife at the Bassett Medical Center Women’s Health Clinic.
She says providing nutritious food can support a healthy pregnancy.
“Healthy development and growth of a baby, and thereby the well-being of the family, is a really excellent way for us to take care of the whole person and not just the pregnancy,” said Maylin.
The Coopertown Food Pantry provides the sacks of various dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, Chobani dairy products and recipes to make meals out of the food.
“We’re giving them full meals for several days so that they can ensure they’re eating nutritious, dense meals,” said Karen Yacobucci, a registered nurse supervisor for the Bassett Medical Center Women’s Health Clinic.
She says they start providing the weekly free food pickups at 28 weeks of pregnancy.
“You’re heading into your third trimester; you’re really starting to get to the point where you need to be prepared for when the baby comes. So we expanded that visit to be a 30-minute visit to allow for us to discuss feeding options for the baby. And it just feels like it’s the most appropriate to throw in food insecurity,” said Yacobucci.
Yacobucci said the food pantry helps make healthier foods more affordable.
“There’s a lot of third-trimester complications with diabetes and hypertension. So we really want to make sure that we choose foods that are, support them through that last trimester,” said Valerie Jackson, executive director for the Cooperstown Food Pantry.
The pantry already partners with Bassett Healthcare Network to support cancer patients with their diet. Jackson said it’s a great way to provide food to people who are already coming to the network for services.
“We often have volunteer groups and our own volunteer staff packing bags and boxes here for the programs. And then we have additional volunteers that coordinate with the hospitals and transfer them over there as they’re needed,” said Jackson.
“We’re helping not just the patient who walks through the door, not just the fetus, but the entire family,” said Yacobucci.
The food pantry partners with local farms for produce and meats. They also work with the regional food pantry for a lot of their proteins and grains. They also have a partnership with Chobani, which provides them with dairy products.