Pitney Meadows and Saratoga Hospital Launch Food as Medicine Pilot with National Grant Support
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – In the face of federal funding cuts for local food and hunger relief programs, Pitney Meadows Community Farm and the Saratoga Hospital Community of Excellence (COE) have received funding from international nonprofit Health Care Without Harm for a groundbreaking Food as Medicine pilot project in Saratoga County.
The program, designed to strengthen the local food system while improving health outcomes, will integrate locally sourced farm products into the Pitney Meadows Food as Medicine produce boxes, enhancing both nutrition and food security for vulnerable residents. This initiative marks a crucial step in sustaining community-driven solutions amidst dwindling federal support for hunger relief and small farms.
“Health Care Without Harm recognizes the critical intersection between healthcare and the food system,” said Brooke McConnell, Executive Director of Pitney Meadows. “This grant allows us to expand our Food as Medicine program in collaboration with local partners while supporting local farms, ensuring a sustainable and scalable approach to improving health outcomes in our community.”
Expanding Access to Nutritious, Locally Grown Food
The pilot program will provide enhanced Food as Medicine produce boxes to residents of three housing communities in need:
- Stonequist Apartments (Saratoga Springs)
- Intrada Apartments (Saratoga Springs)
- Riverview Apartments (Corinth)
Each participant will receive biweekly deliveries of locally grown, nutrient-dense food along with educational materials on healthy eating and meal preparation. These deliveries will feature a diverse array of seasonal produce, grains, legumes, and other farm products, purchased directly from Pitney Meadows and a network of other local farms.
A Community-Driven Initiative with Scalable Potential
The Saratoga Hospital Food as Medicine Community of Excellence Workgroup, led by Pitney Meadows, spearheaded the development of this pilot. The workgroup convenes healthcare providers, community organizations, and food producers to ensure the program effectively meets local health and nutrition needs.
“This project not only increases access to fresh, healthy food but also sets a model for how communities can sustain these initiatives long-term,” said Dr. Renee Rodriguez, Saratoga Hospital Community of Excellence Representative. “By gathering data on health outcomes and program impact, we aim to make this a replicable solution for communities nationwide.”
Addressing the Future of Food Security
“As federal funding for hunger relief and small farms declines, initiatives like this become even more vital,” says Daniel Williams, Assistant Farm Manager, Food Sovereignty Programs. “Pitney Meadows and our partners are working to ensure Food as Medicine programs remain viable and sustainable through innovative partnerships and local investments.”
This pilot is designed to be scalable and replicable, offering a data-driven model that can be adopted by other communities across the country. By prioritizing values-based procurement—sourcing food locally and sustainably—the program strengthens both the regional food system and public health infrastructure.
For more information about Pitney Meadows’ Food is Medicine initiatives, visit: https://www.pitneymeadowscommunityfarm.org/food-sovereignty
About the Food as Medicine COE Workgroup
Saratoga County Communities of Excellence involves suppliers, partners, and collaborators from a multitude of sectors across the economy, health, education, parks, and recreation working toward a shared vision of a healthy Saratoga County for all. Partners include:
- Saratoga Community Health Center
- Skidmore College’s Environmental Studies program
- Saratoga Center for the Family
- Planted Platter
- Health Care Without Harm
About Pitney Meadows Community Farm
Founded in 2016, Pitney Meadows Community Farm is a 166-acre preserved working farm in the heart of Saratoga Springs dedicated to agricultural education, healthy food production, and food sovereignty. Each year, Pitney Meadows donates approximately 120,000 servings of fresh produce to hunger relief organizations and provides Food as Medicine programs in collaboration with healthcare and community partners.
About Health Care Without Harm
Health Care Without Harm seeks to transform health care worldwide so the sector reduces its environmental footprint and becomes a leader in the global movement for environmental health and justice. Through their Food is Medicine strategy, they aim to transform the food system to improve the health of individuals and communities. The initiative has created a community of learning with hospitals, health systems, and community partners who come together to share best practices, including values-based procurement. Participating programs support small regional food producers, create opportunities for businesses owned by people of color, and promote sustainable food production practices.
For More Information, Contact
Cass Skarka
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Pitney Meadows Community Farm
720-498-5198
cass.skarka@pitneymeadows.org
