In 2016, FeedingAmerica.org estimated that more than 10 percent of Lancaster County residents are food insecure. Food insecurity, as defined by the USDA, includes families who are “uncertain of having, or unable to acquire, enough food to meet the needs of all their members because they had insufficient money or other resources for food.” The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank works with more than 900 soup kitchens, shelters and food pantries in central Pennsylvania – nearly 10 percent of which are in Lancaster County. In May, LG Health joined the Central PA Food Bank for an educational session to help local food pantries provide healthier meal options to their customers.
“People who are food insecure are at risk of more chronic diseases related to diet,” said Brenda Buescher, Health Promotion Specialist at LG Health. “During the session we reviewed simple, healthy recipes and talked about what grocery stores do to promote healthier food items. Food pantries that allow clients to choose their own items can use many of the same strategies that grocery stores use.”
The session also reviewed the standards established by the United States Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate initiative. “MyPlate gives people a visual understanding of how to create a balanced healthy diet with fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein,” Buescher added.
LG Health regularly teams up with the Central PA Food Bank to offer support and education. During the most recent event, attendees from eight area food banks learned how to prepare healthier meals for community meals and low-income clients.
“Our hope is that through education and awareness we can help those at risk of food insecurity find better access to healthier food choices – ultimately improving their overall health and well-being,” Buescher said.