We know all people need quality, nutritious food to lead full, active, healthy lives. However, Allen County residents living in communities without nearby grocery stores and/or affordable farm stands face challenges in accessing quality, affordable food and in knowing how to include it in their diet.

According to Feeding America, in 2023:

• In Allen County, 14.3% of our residents, were “food insecure.”

• Households with children are more likely to be food insecure than those without children. In Allen County, approximately 18,040 children are experiencing food insecurity, which represents 18.2% of the county’s child population. That means nearly 1 in 5 kids in the area may not have consistent access to enough nutritious food.
• Even more concerning, about 24% of these children are likely ineligible for federal nutrition programs due to household income levels being above 185% of the poverty line. So while the need is high, not all affected families qualify for assistance.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that adults in households with less food security are more likely to have a chronic illness, such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. HEAL was created as a collaboration between Parkview Regional Medical Center & Affiliates Community Health Improvement Fund and the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation to help improve health outcomes among residents who may experience food insecurity in Allen County.

HEAL addresses food access and education through two key programs: HEAL Farm Markets, and Our HEALing Kitchen Cooking Classes.