The Community-University Health Care Center (CUHCC) is fighting hunger in the center of Minneapolis's Ventura Village, where the rate of food insecurity is four times higher than the average in Hennepin County. Fresh Food Wednesdays is an initiative CUHCC developed in partnership with the Abbott Fund, Second Harvest Heartland, and the Sanneh Foundation to give the community access to much-needed fresh vegetables. CUHCC and its partners are working to enhance nutrition security and overall health outcomes to help ensure that patients have access to the necessities for a healthy life.
Among CUHCC’s patients, 90% have low income, making access to nutritious food even more crucial.
Fresh Food Wednesdays are not just about distributing food; they are about creating a healthier community. By integrating hunger relief with health care, CUHCC and its partners aim to improve overall health outcomes and ensure food security for all residents. Over three distributions, the number of participants has grown from 130 to 200, with many people attending each time. Sixty-five percent are CUHCC patients–many of whom live across the street in three large Minneapolis Public Housing Association (MPHA) apartment buildings. This initiative directly addresses one of the most common social needs expressed by MPHA residents and CUHCC patients: access to healthy, fresh foods.
Fresh Food Wednesdays are just one part of CUHCC's broader efforts to combat food insecurity. The clinic’s care coordinators and community health workers play an integral role in connecting patients to community resources. Additionally, CUHCC refers patients with specific health conditions to the Open Arms meal program, and distributes meal bags to patients in need of immediate assistance.
CUHCC CEO Roli Dwivedi, MD, shared, “Access to fresh, healthy food is fundamental to preventing illness and promoting wellness. Many people in this community are struggling with the cost of food, so we're incredibly grateful for this partnership with Second Harvest Heartland, Sanneh Foundation and the Abbott Fund. Together, we're nourishing patients and our neighbors.”
Free produce is available for all community members who attend. CUHCC and its partners are committed to making a lasting difference in the lives of Ventura Village residents, one fresh vegetable at a time.
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