Food for Thought Kane County - Food as Medicine
Food insecurity remains a daily reality for thousands of Kane County residents, with an estimated 64,000 people struggling to put nutritious meals on the table. Kane County Connects continues its series highlighting the work of Northern Illinois Food Bank, exploring how the organization partners with local healthcare providers, nonprofits, volunteers, businesses and community groups to fight hunger and expand access to healthy food across Kane County.
For many people living with chronic illnesses such as diabetes and congestive heart failure, access to healthy food can be just as important as access to medical care. Northern Illinois Food Bank is helping bridge that gap through its Build Healthy Communities program, which partner with healthcare providers to connect patients experiencing food insecurity with nutritious food.
According to Katie Scott, Healthy Communities Manager at Northern Illinois Food Bank, they work with healthcare and community partners to offer nine Rx Mobile pantry distributions and three Wellness Food Connection pantries on-site clinic in a healthcare setting. One of those partnerships serving Kane County is with Community Health Partnership Aurora Health Center, where patients receive referrals to a monthly mobile food distribution designed to support healthier eating habits.
"Our Healthy Communities team partners with clinic-based pantries and mobile pantries to provide menus featuring milk, eggs, lean meats, fruits, vegetables and whole grains," Scott said.
Since launching in 2018, the Build Healthy Communities programs have embraced the concept of food as medicine by helping healthcare providers identify patients experiencing food insecurity during routine medical visits. Those in need are connected to programs such as Rx Mobile pantries, hospital or clinic-based food pantries, or My Pantry Express. Rx Mobile pantries brings healthy food directly to the clinics where patients already receive care, making it easier to access nutritious meals while managing chronic health conditions.
Food distributed through the program follows USDA MyPlate and H.E.R. Nutrition guidelines.
Scott said the Aurora clinic partnership with Northern Illinois Food Bank has been operating for more than two years and continues to demonstrate how healthcare organizations and food assistance providers can work together to address food insecurity as a key social determinant of health.
During the past fiscal year, the Community Health Partnership clinic served 1,941 households, reaching 6,214 individuals through its monthly food distributions.
"It's incredibly rewarding to be part of the work Northern Illinois Food Bank is doing, but what is especially meaningful to me is helping educate people about nutrition while providing healthy food options that can ease the stress of food insecurity and potentially help someone better manage a chronic disease," Scott said.
Looking ahead, Northern Illinois Food Bank plans to expand its services by offering medically tailored grocery delivery for qualifying participants, helping ensure patients with chronic illnesses have continued access to nutritious foods even when transportation or mobility presents a challenge.
Scott said community support is essential to the program's success. Donations and partnerships with food producers, manufacturers, growers and other organizations are critical to keeping food pantries operating and ensuring a reliable supply of nutritious foods. Those contributions play a vital role in helping people living with chronic illnesses access the healthy foods they need to better manage their conditions and improve their quality of life.
Did You Know?
Every $1 donated to the Northern Illinois Food Bank helps provide $7 worth of groceries for neighbors facing hunger. Through food donations, partnerships and efficient operations, every contribution goes further to help families across northern Illinois put nutritious food on the table.
About Northern Illinois Food Bank
For over 40 years, Northern Illinois Food Bank has been dedicated to solving hunger and empowering neighbors. Our vision at Northern Illinois Food Bank is for everyone in Northern Illinois to have the food they need to thrive. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and proud member of Feeding America, they serve our neighbors in 13 counties throughout northern Illinois with dignity, equity and convenience, providing 320,000 meals a day. They bring together manufacturers, local and corporate grocers, area farmers, corporations, foundations, and individuals who donate food and funding, and each week nearly 1,000 volunteers help them evaluate, repack, and distribute food. They also proudly partner with more than 900 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and youth and senior feeding programs to provide nutritious food and resources. Their distribution centers are located in Geneva, Lake Forest, Rockford and Joliet. Find out how you can get help, volunteer, donate or get involved at SolveHungerToday.org, or follow us on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and LinkedIn.
