The Campaign Against Hunger

Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.

Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. However, stark disparities persist by race and ethnicity, and communities of color experience disproportionately high rates of food insecurity and diet-related disease. The communities most affected by these disparities often have the best solutions to improving food equity. However, systemic barriers often exist, and historically, organizations led by people of color have not had equal access to or benefited from traditional philanthropy funds and resources. In 2024, NYHealth issued an inaugural Request for Proposals (RFP), “Healthy Food, Healthy Lives: Supporting a More Equitable Food System,” to advance racial health equity in the food system. NYHealth awarded The Campaign Against Hunger (TCAH) a grant to participate in this initiative.

Under this grant, TCAH partnered with Brooklyn Plaza Medical Center (BPMC) to pilot a Food Is Medicine project in Brooklyn, New York. BPMC health care providers identified eligible low-income patients and provided them with a prescription for produce. It also provided vouchers that allow patients to order prescribed groceries from TCAH’s online market and pick them up from its market truck stationed at the health care facility. TCAH’s urban farms and its network of farm suppliers of color sourced the available fresh fruits and vegetables at the market. Patients also had the opportunity to purchase food using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits. This project increased access, regardless of patient mobility, to prescribed healthy foods that can support better health outcomes.  

See a full list of grantees working to advance racial health equity in the food system.