It is challenging for one health care facility or community organization to fund, on its own, a large-scale program that will have a lasting effect on a large population. There are, however, many opportunities for collaborative funding such as federal grants, private grants, and state/local grants. Facilities may also diversify their involvement in healthy food access programs in various ways by contributing staff time, providing technical assistance, or making in-kind contributions. 

This guidance brief helps identify funding sources for a set of healthy food access interventions that may be part of community benefit implementation strategies to promote healthy eating and healthier community food environments and reduce the risk of diet-related health conditions.

Food banks and pantries 

Food banks and pantries provide critical food assistance to economically disadvantaged individuals and families when they need it most. There are a variety of ways that health care can partner with local food banks to combat food insecurity and reduce the risk of diet-related health conditions, particularly by helping to expand food pantries’ offerings of fresh, healthy food.

Fruit and vegetable incentive programs 

Fruit and vegetable incentive programs (FVRx) increase produce purchasing power for individuals and families who are experiencing food insecurity or suffering from one or more diet-related health conditions by providing coupons that can be redeemed for healthy foods from local vendors. These programs are often coupled with nutrition education to encourage sustained behavior change. Hospital community benefit programs can participate in fruit and vegetable incentive programs in several ways, including providing financial support for the vouchers and other roles in implementing the programs.

Farmers markets and mobile markets

Farmers markets can help to increase access to healthy foods, particularly when located in vulnerable communities and when paired with a fruit and vegetable incentive program or when the market accepts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Food and Nutrition Services benefits. Mobile markets can help to further the impact of farmers markets by delivering fresh produce to low-income neighborhoods. Hospital community benefit programs can support farmers markets and mobile markets in numerous ways.  If the hospital is located in a low-income community or area with inadequate access to fresh, healthy food, hosting a farmers market for community members on hospital grounds can be an effective strategy. Community benefit resources can purchase and maintain mobile market vehicles and hospital staff can lead nutrition education classes.

Community Supported Agriculture programs

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs can increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables, especially when produce is distributed at convenient community-based locations in underserved communities and when CSA shares are subsidized for eligible community members. Hospital community benefit can support CSA programs in several ways such as subsidizing shares for low-income families. This can be an effective way to increase access to healthy foods.

Community gardens and farms 

Community gardens and farms can increase access to healthy foods while simultaneously improving knowledge of planting, growing, and harvesting fruits and vegetables. Food, nutrition, and cooking education can be incorporated into these initiatives, furthering participant knowledge. Urban farms can offer additional benefits including job creation, workforce development training, and continuing education opportunities. 

Food policy councils

A food policy council is a group of stakeholders from across the food system that includes a diversity of sectors and industries as well as private, public, and nonprofit organizations. Food policy councils have a variety of food-related goals including improving healthy food access, addressing food security, and supporting local and sustainable food producers. Council member organizations can be valuable partners in healthy food access initiatives.

School meals 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program are designed to ensure children have access to nutritious, school-based meals and are an important safety net for children from low-income households. School meal programs present an opportunity for hospitals to support well-established efforts that have been proven effective in promoting children’s health and in alleviating food insecurity. Food and nutrition education and policy advocacy can complement federally funded school meal programs. 
 

Summer, weekend, and afterschool meal and snack programs

Summer, afterschool, weekend, and meal bag/backpack programs give low-income children access to nutritious foods when school is not in session. Hospitals can host or provide support to programs hosted at other community sites through the U.S Department of Agriculture’s Summer Nutrition Program and the Child and Adult Care Food Program’s At-Risk Afterschool initiatives. Health care facilities can also promote program participation in a variety of ways. 

Farm to school 

Farm-to-school initiatives increase access to fresh, healthy, local food and promote healthier dietary behaviors. Farm-to-school programs provide additional benefits to the community by increasing revenue for local farmers and keeping dollars circulating in the local economy. Hospital support for farm-to-school activities can take the form of financial contributions to fund program activities, staff conducting food and nutrition education, and technical assistance to support local purchasing. 
 

Healthier corner stores

Healthier corner store initiatives aim to improve the accessibility and affordability of healthy food and beverage options in small store settings. These programs have multiple components including increasing the inventory of healthy food and beverage options, advocating for more accurate and informative labeling, and educating customers on healthy food choices. Hospital community benefit programs can participate in healthy corner store initiatives in several ways, including assisting with healthy food marketing materials and providing health screenings or nutrition education activities.