The Albany Stratton Veterans Affairs announces New York State’s first-ever food pantry at a Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Westport in Essex County. Located in the heart of New York’s rural Adirondack region, the VA clinic’s new food pantry will provide essential food to veterans in need, expanding on the existing medical and health resources. 
This new community resource will address rising food insecurity among veterans in rural Westport and Saranac areas of the North Country and Adirondack region. The new pantry will ensure local veterans, in this rural area, have reliable access to nutritious food and necessities through the growing partnership with the Food Bank.
“This is more than just a pantry – it’s a community driven effort to ensure no Veteran in the North Country goes without basic necessities,” said Dom Dominguez, Acting Business Office Manager and Global War on Terrorism Veteran. “We’re proud to partner with local organizations and volunteers to make this vision a reality.”
To increase awareness of food insecurity and the accompanying health impacts, the Regional Food Bank announced its Food as Medicine (FAM) program. Partnering with local health care agencies, such as the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center, will make food, nutrition and counseling opportunities more accessible to those managing severe health issues and diseases. FAM connects food access and healthcare for those who are at a greater health risk due to food insecurity and other diet-sensitivities.
“We are honored to be part of this innovative solution in addressing the challenges of food insecurity among our veterans in more rural areas,” said Tom Nardacci, CEO of Regional Food Bank. “By establishing this food pantry and our Food as Medicine program within the VA clinic in Essex County, we are providing healthy, nutritious food for our veterans in a comfortable and convenient location with the goal of improving health outcomes. We hope this will serve as a pilot program that can be implemented throughout New York State.”