Sentara works with an extensive network of partners to increase equitable access to food and community resources, enabling the people we serve to thrive.
For many individuals and families across the country, 2023 marked another year of rising food costs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported a 5.8% increase in food prices in 2023 (on the heels of a 9.9% increase in 2022). However, that increase tells only half the story.
When expanded pandemic-era benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) expired in February 2023, many food budgets simply met their breaking points. In a survey by Feeding America, 95% of food banks reported increased or steady demand in the months that followed.
To support the hunger relief resources families most often turn to in times of need, Sentara continues to take a multi-pronged approach.
Strengthening the network
In Virginia, our continued partnership with the Federation of Virginia Food Banks (Federation)—a part of its “Statewide Health Equity Plan”—increased the capacity of all seven food banks in the Commonwealth to provide healthier and more culturally relevant foods. In addition, our support helped enhance the Federation’s ability to deliver services like the Food Pharmacy program and the Healthy Pantry Initiative, which are designed to remove barriers to access and support neighbors on their path to health and economic sufficiency.
Thanks in part to Sentara’s support, in 2023:
- The Food Pharmacy program reached 11,000+ new individuals and now has the capacity to benefit more than 28,000 individuals annually.
- The Healthy Pantry Initiative continued to take root, with more than 60% of all pantry partners assessed operations & aligned strategies to address barriers to access and ensure connections to other community supports.
- Nearly 2,000 new households received assistance with SNAP applications.
- The Federation established a cloud-based data warehouse to track sourcing, distribution, and neighbor insights from across the network.
- The Federation and its partners advocated for state policies that support sustainable access to nutritious foods through Medicaid coverage as a means to prevent and manage chronic diseases.
Supporting Virginia food systems
Food is so much more than what we grow or the meals we put on our tables — it’s what connects us and centers communities. To that end, we partnered with local organizations in the past year that recognize food as the key to equitable communities.
Greater Richmond Fit4Kids: In 2023, Fit4Kids worked with local community leaders and the Richmond Food Justice Alliance on a variety of initiatives to strengthen community gardens and markets in
marginalized communities and improve the school lunch program.
Cultivate Charlottesville: Through our long-standing partnership, Cultivate Charlottesville continues to support sustainable agricultural initiatives in underserved areas of the region and pursue educational and outreach initiatives that elevate the voices and experiences of Black residents in the pursuit of food justice.
Hampton Roads Urban Agriculture: Our work with Hampton Roads Urban Agriculture helps strengthen the organization’s urban farm in Newport News and expand its capacity to deliver education and outreach to promote healthy lifestyles through gardening and healthy cooking.
