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New TMH program aims to address patient food insecurity with emergency food kits

Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare
Posted at 11:25 AM, Feb 26, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-26 11:26:39-05

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare and their food management partner Sodexo have teamed up to address food insecurity concerns among patients at TMH during the pandemic.

The new program will identify patients at TMH who have food insecurity and give them access to registered dietitians while in the hospital.

Once discharged, the patients will be given emergency food kits, resources and assistance.

According to TMH and Sodexo, as part of the program, all patients are screened for food insecurity upon admission using a two-question screening tool.

Once patients are identified as food insecure, a notification is sent to the registered dietitians or nurses and the patient is offered an emergency food kit.

The nutritious food kit also includes local and federal food assistance resources and a recipe book to help patients use food provided once discharged to help maintain a well-balanced diet.

When appropriate, a non-food-related resources guide is also provided, said TMH and Sodexo.