At the Regional Food Bank, we believe that access to nutritious food is a key part of a healthier community. That’s why our Community Health and Nutrition team is dedicated to providing programs that connect food access with education, healthcare, and wellness. From hands-on nutrition education to medically tailored groceries and food safety training, our initiatives ensure that our partner network has the resources they need to make informed, healthy choices.
In this post, we’re highlighting some of our key nutrition focused programs.
Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables
A free nutrition education program designed for SNAP-eligible adults. This interactive program offers engaging lessons on healthy eating, including topics like Food and Mood, Joyful Movement, Your Hydration Station, Mindful Meals, Stretching Your Dough, and A Balanced Plate. Participants enjoy live cooking demonstrations with samples, receive fresh produce to take home, and earn fun incentives—all while learning practical ways to improve their nutrition and well-being.
The Healthy Pantry Initiative (HPI) is a program designed to increase access to nutritious foods at food pantries while promoting healthier choices for individuals and families facing food insecurity. The initiative helps pantries implement nutrition focused strategies such as:
- Stocking and promoting healthier food options, like fresh produce, whole grains, and lean proteins
- Providing nutrition education, including recipes, meal planning tips, and food demonstrations
- Enhancing pantry layouts to make it easier for clients to choose nutritious foods
Reach out to our team to learn more about the opportunities available for your community!
What does the community think about JSY?
“She got me into eating vegetables! I started coming to these classes to see if anyone could change my mind about eating vegetables and she did. I eat way more vegetables now than I ever did.” -comment from a Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables class participant, Nyack NY
After sampling, “Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes” and learning about “Choosing Color for Health”, a participant mentioned that they recreated this recipe after the class, but they added their own twist. After discovering that the different colors of fruits and vegetables provide a variety of different nutrients, they decided to add other vegetables such as carrots and broccoli to the dish to ensure that it was as nutrient dense as possible. – comment from a Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables class participant, Waterford Senior Center NY
Food As Medicine
The Food As Medicine program addresses key social determinants of health by connecting food access with healthcare to provide nutritious, medically tailored groceries to patients managing chronic conditions. Through partnerships with healthcare providers, hospitals, clinics, and community health centers, we help ensure that individuals facing food insecurity receive the healthy foods they need to support their chronic conditions and well-being. From home-delivered grocery boxes to onsite food pantries at medical facilities, our program makes it easier for patients to access fresh produce, whole grains, and lean proteins. By addressing food as a key part of health, we’re working to improve outcomes and support healthier communities.
“The food options are great and I discovered parsnips and beets. My A1c is lower, and I have more energy. My endocrinologist and dietitian are very happy with my progress since being a part of the program.” -FAM program participant, Albany NY
Food Safety at the Regional Food Bank
At the Regional Food Bank, food safety is at the core of our mission. Not only do we strive to nourish our neighbors in need, but we are committed to doing so in a way that is both healthy and, above all, safe.
One of the Nutrition Resource Manager’s key responsibilities is ensuring that our staff, agency partners, and community stay informed and prepared when it comes to food safety. From regular training sessions to staying on top of recalls, we take every precaution to safeguard the quality of the food we distribute.
Food Safety Training Opportunities
We offer food safety training for our agency partners nearly every month, except in March and December. If your organization would like to participate, you can register for an upcoming session through our Partner Portal on the Regional Food Bank website.
If you operate an emergency feeding program and are seeking funding through the HPNAP Food Grant or the Operational Support Grant, your organization must have at least one staff member trained in food safety. This certification can be obtained through the Regional Food Bank, ServSafe, or a Department of Health (DOH) training.
What’s Ahead: Expanded Training Programs
Looking ahead, our Community Health and Nutrition Department is excited to expand our food safety training offerings. Soon, we will be providing ServSafe Manager training, which will be particularly beneficial for our on-site meal programs and others in need of advanced food safety certification. Stay tuned for more details!
Stay Informed About Food Recalls
Ensuring food safety is a shared responsibility, and we need your help. While we receive updates about food recalls, we are unable to inspect every item that comes through your program—especially those sourced from outside our network. To stay informed, we encourage you to sign up for food recall alerts. Visit www.recalls.gov and click on the Food tab at the top of the page. We recommend subscribing to email updates from:
- USDA, which oversees meat, poultry, and eggs
- FDA, which monitors the rest of the food supply
- CPSC, if your organization distributes non-food products
By working together, we can ensure that the food we provide to our communities is safe, nutritious, and reliable. Thank you for your partnership in making food safety a priority!
“This information is so important that I want all of my staff to attend these trainings.” -Food pantry director
NOEP Services
The Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) in Sullivan County helps connect individuals and families with SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs) benefits to ensure they have access to the food they need. Our NOEP Coordinator provides free, confidential assistance with SNAP eligibility screenings, application support, and troubleshooting any issues with benefits. We work closely with community partners to reach those facing food insecurity and make the application process as simple as possible. If you or someone you know needs help applying for SNAP, we’re here to support you! *Currently serving Sullivan County, only.
Reach out to our team to learn more about hosting our NOEP Coordinator for application assistance and outreach events!