Fair helps Veterans access healthy food

The Greater Los Angeles VA held its inaugural Food Security Resource Fair Sept. 10, aiming to connect Veterans with vital resources to combat food insecurity in the Greater Los Angeles area. The event took place at West Los Angeles VA, where VA and community partners gathered to address this pressing issue.

Los Angeles ranks as the second most expensive city in the U.S for 2024, according to U.S. News and World Report. The high cost of living presents a significant challenge for Veterans to access nutritious food for themselves and their families. VA statistics indicate that Los Angeles is home to the largest population of food insecure Veterans in the VA system.

"We understand Greater Los Angeles has one of the largest populations of housing-insecure and food-insecure Veterans," said Jennifer Allen, Whole Health program manager. "Given the cost of living in our city, we recognize the importance of connecting Veterans with these resources in order to live a healthful life in Los Angeles."

The VA Food Security Office defines "food insecurity" as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life or a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food​. This issue impacts various health-related conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, mental health and certain cancers.

Pictured above, Allen gives heirloom tomatoes grown from the Veterans Garden.

"This event is addressing food insecurity more holistically."

A 2021 study found that Veterans facing food insecurity are at an increased risk of depression and suicidal ideation.

"Food security is a basic need and such a foundational part of health care," said Shari Kushins-Moore, dietitian. "If someone doesn't know where their next meal is coming from or someone can't afford groceries for half the month, how do we expect them to do anything? To make it to their appointments on time, to take their medication, to sleep, to take care of themselves and to take care of their families?"

"This event is about addressing food insecurity more holistically with wraparound services for Veterans at VA and in the community," said Allen.

The fair featured screenings by Nursing and various programs, including Whole Health, Nutrition and Food Services, Women's Health Program, Social Work, Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team, HUD-VA Supportive Housing program, the Welcome Center, Speech and Audiology and the Domiciliary.

"We have screened nearly 10,000 more Veterans for food insecurity than last year with positivity rates remaining about the same," said Allen. "We wanted to put together VA and community resources for food insecure Veterans and for employees to empower them to screen more."

Many community resources participate

Community resources at the event included Project Angel Food, Meals on Meals West and Meals on Wheels West Los Angeles, which provide home meal delivery services. The Department of Public Social Services signed up Veterans onsite for CalFresh (formerly known as Food Stamps) and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the Westside Food Bank and the Vet Center also participated.

West LA VA hosts a weekly food distribution for Veterans every Wednesday from 12 to 1 p.m. between Buildings 500 and 402. Veterans can access fresh, free food, some of which is grown at the Veteran's Garden on campus. Additionally, the Bandini Foundation's Heroes Golf Course Food Distribution events provide produce and non-perishables on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., except holidays.

"It is vital that we work collaboratively across the nation to address food insecurity among Veterans," said Jason Melton, executive officer, VA Food Security Office.

Melton and Megan Bowman, National Nutrition Food Security program coordinator, attended the fair to show national support for food security initiatives. "The pioneering work being done here sets a powerful example for the entire VA healthcare system," Melton said.

If you are a Veteran experiencing food insecurity, please reach out to your local VA Medical Facility for assistance. Learn more about resources for Veterans who are food insecure or at risk of food insecurity.

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