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 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.
Join NYHealth for a half-day virtual conference focused on the federal and state policies and pilot programs that can have a positive impact on New York’s food future.
Panelists will discuss the role that states have in:
– Tackling food and nutrition security.
– Scaling and replicating medically tailored meals and nutritious food referral programs.
– Developing policy pathways that will enable the permanent provision of free school meals for all New York State public school students.
Agenda
9:30 a.m.–9:45 a.m.
Opening remarks: David Sandman, Ph.D., President and CEO, New York Health Foundation (NYHealth)
9:45 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Keynote: Sara Bleich, Ph.D., Director of Nutrition Security and Health Equity for the Food and Nutrition Service, United States Department of Agriculture.
Moderator: Avital Havusha, M.P.H., Vice President for Programs, NYHealth.
10:40 a.m.–11:40 a.m.
Panel 1: “Food Is Medicine: Replicating, Scaling, and Financing Evidence-Based Interventions”
– Moderator: Bronwyn Starr, M.P.H., Senior Program Officer, NYHealth
– Martina Ahadzi, L.M.S.W., Project Manager, Bureau of Social Care and Community Supports, New York State Department of Health
– Amanda Parsons, M.D., M.B.A., Vice President, Clinical Services, Healthfirst; and Member, NYHealth Community Advisory Committee
– Natasha Pernicka, M.P.A., Executive Director, Food Pantries for the Capital District, Inc.
11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
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.
12:45 p.m.–12:50 p.m.
Closing Remarks: Bronwyn Starr, M.P.H., Senior Program Officer, NYHealth