FOOD PHARMACY

Food insecurity, or lack of access to adequate, nutritious food, is a prevalent, yet preventable, social condition that has been linked to numerous adverse health outcomes.

While it affects individuals at every age, it can be particularly detrimental to children: those who are food-insecure are more likely to develop diet-related chronic diseases, have impaired social development, and have reduced success in school compared to their food-secure peers.

At West Oakland Health, we wanted to identify the barriers residents face to access healthy food by providing fresh locally grown produce and dry goods that we receive from local growers as well as the Alameda County Food Bank.

Our goal is to improve the health outcomes of our patients that we serve.

We offer free, fresh produce, and nutrition education during our Food Pharmacy. It’s an intervention that can prevent disease and empower patients to manage their conditions. We hope to transform patient wellness by promoting healthy eating and living as a way of combating health issues.

The locations are:

WEST OAKLAND HEALTH CENTER
700 Adeline St. Oakland, CA 94607

EAST OAKLAND HEALTH CENTER
7450 International Blvd. Oakland, CA 94621

A.J. THOMAS MEDICAL CENTER
10615 E. 14th St. Oakland, CA 94621