The Hunger and Health Coalition in Boone, North Carolina, is an ambitious organization that works to improve food and medication security and general well-being within the community, working to alleviate both short-term and long-term issues around economic barriers to good health. The organization runs a mobile food delivery program to help clients with transportation barriers and the Food is Medicine program provides foods to clients that is tailored to their health conditions, allowing for whole person-centered care. In addition, the Coalition has a free pharmacy, the only one in Watauga County, and has recently acquired a free clinic, which will be implemented into its wider program in service to the community.  

The CCME Foundation provided a $20,000 grant for the organization to increase its capacity for wrap-around services, nutritional foods and medication distribution, along with distributing educational materials to establish healthy habits. Close to 18% of food pantry clients are diabetic, over 20% have hypertension, and close to 9% have heart disease. The Food is Medicine program places emphasis on clients with all kinds of chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, which provides specialty food boxes that are tailored to the medical needs of the clients. For example, if a client is diabetic or gluten free, the food box provided is designed to meet those dietary needs. With registered dieticians on staff, the program ensures that clients are receiving foods that serve to improve their health and well-being in a more holistic way. In addition to educational materials, the program includes access to a registered dietician for personalized plans, recipes, meal plans, and a nutrition hotline.   

Learn more about the work of Hunger and Health Coalition.