St. Luke’s, Norwescap Providing Fresh Produce to Needy Patients in Phillipsburg

Since healthy eating is key to healthy living, St. Luke’s Coventry Family Practice, in Phillipsburg (NJ), is teaming up with the Northwest NJ Community Action Partnership (Norwescap), Inc. food bank this summer to give hard-to-come-by fresh fruits and veggies to the practice’s patients in need each Tuesday.

“Based on the 2022 St. Luke’s Community Health Needs Assessment, only 8% of respondents in the St. Luke’s Warren Campus service area consume the recommended amount of five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day,” says Jaclyn Hudak, MEd, St. Luke’s Community Health Liaison.

“Phillipsburg is an identified ‘food desert’ due to limited access to affordable fresh fruits and vegetables and the absence of a full-service grocery store. Our efforts in the Phillipsburg area to provide fresh fruits and vegetables and promote healthy lifestyle behaviors can help to support ongoing health promotion and chronic disease prevention.”

Each week since June 7, a total of more than 75 lbs. of the fresh produce has been distributed to 15 individuals or families who come to the practice in Phillipsburg for care. Nutritional information and recipes using the donated ingredients, in English and Spanish, accompany the food, all of which is packed into recyclable bags.

“We are delighted that we have been able to supply fresh produce from our program,” says Helene Meissner, Norwescap director and trustee of the St. Luke’s Warren Campus.  “We look forward to providing much fresher produce during the growing season– straight from the farms! 

This charitable giving continues throughout August.