Food insecurity affects approximately 1 million children in New York State alone. Public Health Solutions’ Neighborhood WIC is the largest community WIC program in New York State, helping over 35,000 women, infants and children annually. We also tackle food insecurity – a national issue – through SNAP (food stamp) enrollment.
In addition, our Food and Nutrition Services Bundle provides coordinated support to access Food Pantries, Congregate Meals, and Medically Tailored Home-Delivered Meals, and other food services. Click here to read our report of accomplishments, evaluation findings, and lessons learned from the pilot project during which food insecure patients at two public hospitals in the Bronx were offered screening and navigation to community food and nutrition resources.
Together, these services help lift families out of poverty, improve birth outcomes, and benefit childhood health and academic performance.
Extensive research has found WIC and SNAP to be a cost-effective investment that improves the nutrition and health of low-income families. Women who participate in WIC give birth to healthier babies, children participating in WIC have lower risk of obesity, and children whose mothers participated in WIC while pregnant show improved mental development. SNAP reduces poverty by 14-16% and is considered one of the nation’s most effective anti-poverty programs for low-income families with children.