New pantry represents 'paradigm shift' - The Union Leader

New pantry represents 'paradigm shift' - The Union Leader

October 01. 2018 10:40PM

A grant from the Bishop's Charitable Assistance Fund helped pay for a commercial grade refrigerator and freezer to store food for the Preventative Food Pantry being overseen by Catholic Medical Center in Manchester. (COURTESY)

MANCHESTER — The first program of its kind in New Hampshire, the Preventative Food Pantry helps patients with chronic medical conditions obtain wholesome foods and nutrition counseling in an effort to improve their overall health.

“There is a paradigm shift that’s been brewing for years, recognizing food as medicine,” Catholic Medical Center’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. William Goodman said in a news release. “Access to healthy foods is a major social determinant of health. This program can be a turning point in the lives of our patients.”

Catholic Medical Center (CMC), in partnership with the New Hampshire Food Bank, a program of Catholic Charities NH, and the Parish of the Transfiguration Food Pantry, has launched the project.

CMC social workers and nutritionists will work to identify patients in need who have conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.

“Imagine knowing what’s in front of you isn’t healthy, but it’s all you have to eat,” says Eileen Liponis, executive director of the New Hampshire Food Bank.

The patients will receive a prescription for the Food Pantry, which they can visit twice a month to collect a box of healthful food that complies with their diet restrictions. Patients will also check in with volunteer nurses who will track key indicators of health, including weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.

The New Hampshire Food Bank will supply the food to the Parish of the Transfiguration Food Pantry, which will receive the prescription for each patient directly from CMC.

A grant from the Bishop’s Charitable Assistance Fund helped get the program going, funding the purchase of a new, commercial grade refrigerator and freezer to store vitamin-rich, fresh foods.

“We first started talking to hospitals about this idea more than a year ago,” says President & CEO of Catholic Charities New Hampshire Thomas Blonski, which operates the New Hampshire Food Bank.

“CMC and the Parish of the Transfiguration were quick to respond. We’re all in this together to make this happen to get people where they need to be, to help them be well.”

Health Manchester