Provider resources

Health care providers can support food-insecure households by gaining awareness of food-assistance programs and helping to connect families with available resources.

We offer validated screening questions and simple, constantly updated patient information materials on free food and nutrition education resources (available in seven languages). Free technical assistance and sharing of best practice implementing screening and intervention for food insecurity.

Free food insecurity training for health care staff available from Lynn Knox, Statewide Health Care Liaison, lknox@oregonfoodbank.org, 503-853-8732

Childhood Food Insecurity: Health Impacts,
Screening & Intervention Course

Course participants will:

  • Identify the health consequences of pediatric and pre-natal food insecurity and hunger and be able to discuss at least two health consequences.
  • Use a validated food-insecurity risk question as part of intake protocol in clinical settings.
  • Integrate intervention strategies (such as food assistance outreach and education) for patients and families at risk of food insecurity.

Take the course.

1 AMA PRA Category Credits TM is awarded at completion.

Resources

“Putting healthy food within reach”
Information about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).


How can I learn more about the nutrition assistance programs?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps low-income people and families buy the food they need. Benefits are provided on an electronic card that is used like an ATM card and accepted at most grocery stores. Learn more about eligibility.


What is the position of the American Academy of Pediatricians on food insecurity?

Go to https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/federal-advocacy/Pages/foodinsecurity.aspx

Also see the AAP toolkit: http://frac.org/aaptoolkit

AAP Policy Statement: Advocacy for Improving Nutrition in the First 1000 Days to Support Childhood Development and Adult Health

Gottlieb LM, Hessler D, Long D, et al. Effects of social needs screening and in-person service navigation on child health: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Pediatr. 2016 Nov 7;170(11):e162521.

Child Food Insecurity: The Economic Impact on our Nation (Feeding America and The ConAgra Foods Foundation: https://www.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/child-economy-study.pdf

Stenmark S, Soloman L, Allen-Davis J, Brozena C. Linking the Clinical Experience to Community Resources To Address Hunger in Colorado. Health Affairs Blog. 2015.

Oregon Food Bank Resources:

https://www.oregonfoodbank.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Food-Insecurity-screening-3-page-sample-Metro2.pdf

ttps://www.oregonfoodbank.org/our-work/partnerships/health-care-partnerships/

Provider comments:

“Screening & intervention was easy to add to our clinic protocols, it gives the physician valuable information for diagnosis & treatment and the Food Bank Staff (Lynn Knox), had valuable implementation suggestions”
– Clinic Administrator
 
“Thank you for the detailed information on the causes and potential results of inadequate nutrition. The strategies for assisting persons in that situation were well developed and sensitive to the situation.”
– Nursing instructor
 
“This information inspired me to contact staff who work with our state's Birth to Five programs to encourage them to incorporate questionnaires regarding food insecurity.”
– Teacher consultant

Healthy Food Bank Hub

Oregon Food Bank staff members joined Feeding America and other member food banks, National Dairy Council and Eat Right to launch the Healthy Food Bank Hub, a website that connects public health and hunger-relief professionals to work together on solutions to improve nutrition and reduce diet-related diseases for hungry families.



Feeding America
http://healthyfoodbankhub.org/