On March 22, 2022, NYHealth hosted a virtual conference focused on the federal and state policies and pilot programs that can have a positive impact on New York’s food future.
Many federal programs and policies are designed to reduce food insecurity and increase dietary quality. But the degree to which community members benefit from these programs depends in large part on state-level investment. From maximizing participation in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) federal nutrition assistance programs to piloting medically tailored meals through Medicare, New York State has the opportunity to get more healthy food to more people.
The keynote speaker was Sara Bleich, Ph.D., Director of Nutrition Security and Health Equity for the Food and Nutrition Service, USDA. (see slides)
Watch the full conference recording here.
Panel 1: “Food Is Medicine: Replicating, Scaling, and Financing Evidence-Based Interventions”
– Moderator: Bronwyn Starr, M.P.H., Senior Program Officer, NYHealth
– Tammy Holmes, parent and advocate for food as medicine
– Martina Ahadzi, L.M.S.W., Project Manager, Bureau of Social Care and Community Supports, New York State Department of Health (see slides)
– Amanda Parsons, M.D., M.B.A., Vice President, Clinical Services, Healthfirst; and Member, NYHealth Community Advisory Committee (see slides)
– Natasha Pernicka, M.P.A., Executive Director, Food Pantries for the Capital District, Inc.
Panel 2: “Healthy School Meals for All New York State Public School Students”
– Moderator: Julia McCarthy, J.D., Senior Program Officer, NYHealth
– Jessica Pino-Goodspeed, M.S.W., Child Nutrition Program Specialist, Hunger Solutions
– Mark Bordeau, Executive Director, Rural Health Network of South Central NY; former senior director, Food Services-Broome Tioga BOCES; and past president, New York School Nutrition Association
– Monique Lindsay, Seasoned and Passionate Parent Representative, Lunch 4 Learning Coalition; Lunch 4 Learning Parent Caucus; and Member, Community Food Advocates Board of Directors.