Topic: Improving Access to Food
Organization Name: TCA Health; UI-Mile Square Health Center
Organization Type: Health Centers
Location (city\/state): Chicago, Illinois
Special or Vulnerable Population: Residents of Public Housing Communities
Challenges: Food insecurity
Promising Practice: Partnerships on improving access to health foods<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Food insecurity became an obstacle in accessing healthy foods for health center patients at a national level, in part, due to the COVID-19 guidelines that were set in place by local authorities. Although the COVID-19 guidelines served to stop the spread of COVID-19, the most vulnerable populations were affected as they encountered limitations related to transportation to grocery stores, social distancing, unemployment and more. Health Centers such as TCA Health and UI-Mile Square addressed these challenges by facilitating access to food in their surrounding communities by partnering with local community stakeholder and public housing agencies. UI-Mile Square Health Center also established a partnership with grocery stores and were able to deliver meals to over 3,000 families. At TCA Health, partnerships with Healthy Food Hub, also included the use of Pop-Up Mobile Markets also known as the F.R.E.S.H. Project & TCA Health to provide accessible foods to their residents of public housing communities. Through the Pop-Up Mobile a collaboration with community partners was made available for health education and screening, Flu & COVID-19 Prevention and Tests, service referrals (dental, WIC, behavioral health, & SNAP). These promising practices addresses partnerships, impact\/outcomes, and satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n