Danbury — Residents with certain health conditions who can’t consistently access nutritious foods can get help right away, thanks to plans to open a ‘food pharmacy’ in downtown Danbury.
United Way has partnered with Nuvance Health to open the Greater Danbury Food Farmacy at the Connecticut Community Institute at 120 Main Street.
Ashley Gaudiano, vice president of resource development and marketing, United Way of Western Connecticut, said:
Greater Danbury Food Pharmacy is unlike any other food pantry.
“It has the look and feel of a small grocery store, with aisles, refrigerated and fresh produce balanced with lots of produce – healthier food options,” said Gaudiano at Greater Danbury. Food Farmacy is open to everyone.
Patients at Danbury Primary Care or Federally Accredited Health Centers at the Connecticut Community Institute who are positive for food insecurity and diagnosed with hypertension will have access with a doctor’s prescription.
“That’s who we’re starting with, and if it’s successful, we’ll expand,” Gaudiano said.
In addition to shopping at the pantry twice a month, participants have access to registered dietitians, program administrators and community health workers to connect with other wraparound social service support, she said. Told.
Through a partnership United Way has with UConn Extension, they will also have access to cooking classes and demonstrations, Gaudiano said. They will be enrolled in the United Way Healthy Savings Program. It offers $10 a week in loyalty cards that can be used to purchase fruits and vegetables at participating grocery stores.
All food and services provided through Greater Danbury Food Farmacy will be free.
“This will be a free program,” said Gaudiano.
Funding for Greater Danbury Food Farmacy will come from $1.05 million in Senate-directed funds United Way received to launch the program.
Gaudiano noted that Senators Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal supported the United Way, saying, “We learned in the fall that funds were appropriated. Today, within the next few months. We are putting together a plan to actually start this.” Get 12 months of federal aid.
The first three months will be used to set up the space, and the remaining nine months will be the program’s pilot period, she said.
The goal is to enroll 100 people in the Greater Danbury Food Pharmacy Program over the next nine months and see improvements in their diet-related health outcomes, Gaudiano said.
An official opening date for Greater Danbury Food Pharmacy has not yet been set, she said.
Federal funding is allowed, but Gaudiano said United Way is waiting to see when the funding becomes available.
“It’s all been approved and diverted, but we’re in a bit of a waiting game,” she said. We can open the door to.If it’s later than that, we’ll adjust accordingly.”
A press conference is scheduled for Friday at 10:30 am at the Connecticut Community Institute to announce plans for Greater Danbury Food Pharmacy. Senators Blumenthal and Murphy, as well as United Way President Isabel Almeida, will attend. Representative of Western Connecticut and New Vance Health.