‘Food is medicine’: New Glasgow Health Clinic gives vegetables to patients
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Most people go to their health clinic to get medication or tests, but in New Glasgow, NS, Highland Health Home and Learning Center is also giving its patients some vegetables.
This initiative is a pilot program that takes forward the idea that prevention is also a cure.
“They’re sometimes shocked that they get a free product,” said Brittany Curry, a social worker at the center who came up with the idea.
“I feel really rewarded that we are able to give back to people.”
Curry said that with rising prices, she has become concerned about food insecurity in the area.
A few months ago, she heard about Summer Street Farm, A local non-profit organization that hires people with diverse abilities. One of its latest initiatives is a greenhouse where farmers grow vegetables for the food bank.
Curry reached out to ask if they could share some of their donations with the clinic.
Summer Street agreed to a 12-week pilot, which is being funded by a donation from local philanthropist Jamie McGillivray.
“Food is medicine,” said Cathy Munroe, Summer Street farm operations manager. “This is a really special opportunity to help people take more control of their health through food.”
Highland now receives 20 bags of greens per week, filled with things like spinach, bok choy and kale.
The health center caters to families with children aged 24 and under, which Currie said is the largest demographic for food insecurity in Nova Scotia.
They also offer recipes designed by their dietician.
“We have patients coming back who don’t actually have an appointment, and they’ll keep coming back every week just to get our greens.”
Haley Kirby, primary health care coordinator at Highland Health, is tracking data and interviewing patients after they receive their meals, hoping to make a case to justify continuing the program after the pilot ends at the end of April.
He said so far they have helped about 170 people or 40 families.
“Groceries are hard to afford, but healthy groceries are a whole different thing,” Kirby said of the need.
“I think it has great potential for creating healthy habits and a culture of healthy eating overall among young people and young families.”
Kirby said other clinics are asking about the program, and she sees the potential for it to expand across the province.
Curry agrees.
She said one benefit of the program is that it reduces the stigma of going to a food bank. He pointed out that it is not tied to any income restrictions, which could also prevent people from accessing help.
“Nutritional security is really important to me when we look at bone and tooth density, along with chronic disease prevention. We also know in Nova Scotia that childhood tooth decay is one of the leading causes of chronic disease in children, so providing something healthy is my dream to continue.”
At Summer Street Farm, the partnership has been worth celebrating.
Munroe said the initiative isn’t just helping patients in the clinic.
“Our farmers take so much pride in their work that their hands are physically feeding people. I see it every day – just the joy they find in their work.”
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