Newark Health System Launches Program to Combat Food InsecurityNewark Health System Launches Program to Combat Food Insecurity RWJBarnabas Health has partnered with the New Jersey Food Security Initiative (NJFSI) to combat food insecurity in the state. The initiative will place Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Navigators in all 12 of the health system’s acute care hospitals. SNAP Navigators to Assist Low-Income Residents The navigators will provide support to low-income residents in enrolling in SNAP, recertifying enrollment, and connecting them to other food resources. This assistance aims to improve access to food, healthy diets, and nutrition education. Addressing Food Insecurity’s Impact on Health Food insecurity has a significant impact on health outcomes. In New Jersey, one in 12 households reported facing food challenges in 2022. This issue results in an estimated $1.3 billion in annual costs to the state. RWJBarnabas Health’s Commitment to Social Impact The initiative aligns with RWJBarnabas Health’s ongoing efforts to address social determinants of health. The health system has implemented programs like the Beth Greenhouse, Farmers Market, and Food Farmacy Program to support food security. Partnerships for a Comprehensive Solution Through partnerships with NJFSI and other organizations, RWJBarnabas Health aims to provide a comprehensive solution to the challenge of food insecurity. The SNAP Navigators program will play a crucial role in ensuring equitable access to essential food resources and promoting better health outcomes.
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NEWARK, NJ—RWJBarnabas Health today announced it has received a grant from the New Jersey Food Security Initiative (NJFSI) to launch a groundbreaking program aimed at combating food insecurity in the state. The program will place Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Navigators in each of the health system’s 12 acute care hospitals to help low-income residents access food, healthy diets and nutrition education.
Barbara Mintz, Senior Vice President of Social Impact and Community Investment at RWJBarnabas Health, was excited about the partnership with NJFSI. She highlighted the initiative as a transformative approach to improving food security and health equity in New Jersey. The navigators will provide critical support in enrolling individuals in SNAP, assisting with recertification and connecting them to other food resources.
This initiative aligns with RWJBarnabas Health’s ongoing efforts to address food insecurity through several projects, including the Beth Greenhouse and Farmers Market, the Sadie Vickers Community Garden, and the Food Farmacy Program. These efforts are part of the broader Social Impact and Community Investment practice, which partners with state and local agencies to address multiple social determinants of health, such as economic stability and affordable housing.
Food insecurity has a significant impact on health outcomes, with one in 12 New Jersey households reporting it as a challenge in 2022, according to the USDA. This challenge results in an estimated $1.3 billion in annual costs to the state. RWJBarnabas Health’s new program aims to mitigate this impact by ensuring greater access to essential food resources.
