Anderson Free Clinic, based in Anderson, South Carolina, serves the health needs of underserved and uninsured citizens of Anderson County through community engagement and partnerships with those who care. Its primary activities and programs include medical, dental, vision, mental health, and pharmacy services for adults as well as health education and social services. 

The CCME Foundation provided a $18,350 grant to expand its wellness initiative. This groundbreaking initiative, started by Dr. John Newman at the Volunteers in Medicine Clinic in Hilton Head and led locally by the Anderson Free Clinic in Anderson, serves patients and their families who primarily live in documented food deserts with limited access to fresh, healthy produce. The program is designed to provide continuous cost-free access to nutritious foods. It brings together a specialized team of medical, mental health, and nutrition professionals who work collaboratively to promote the overall health of patients in the clinic and provides cooking classes, recipes, and supplies to help patients integrate healthier foods into their daily lives. All patients of the clinic are eligible to participate in the program. 

The program uses hydroponic farms, which produce fresh produce for the Wellness Market and is maintained by volunteers. During the first visit to the free Wellness Market, patients complete an intake form, where the clinic can measure their overall health, daily activities, typical daily diet, and mental/emotional health. Through the clinic’s electronic medical records, the patients’ chronic conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and digestive issues are measured and monitored for improved outcomes while participating in the program. The mental health counselor also provides referrals to the Wellness Initiative to assist with eating disorders, abuse, and other mental health conditions. Lastly, patients can sign up for healthy cooking classes offered free onsite through Clemson University and request a personal consultation with the clinic’s registered dietician to better ensure access to nutritionally dense, unprocessed foods.    

Because of community-based challenges in Anderson, such as a population at 70% either obese or overweight and 10-12% undernourished, the Free Clinic, Department of Public Health, library, hospital system, and Food Share program have formed a coalition, Live Well Anderson. This coalition will intervene by providing ambassadors in schools and churches to improve movement, food security, and nourishment within the community.   

Learn more about the work of the Anderson Free Clinic and its Wellness Initiative.