Poverello’s Eat Well Center: Collaborating Toward Maximizing Health Among the Chronically Ill in South Florida

Poverello’s Eat Well Center is at the heart of our mission to “provide nutritious food, health services, and basic living essentials with the highest degree of understanding, respect, and love for individuals living with critical and chronic illnesses including HIV, in South Florida.” We operate four distinct programs to address food insecurity and promote health:

• Medically Tailored Grocery Program (MTG): As Florida’s only Food is Medicine Coalition MTG affiliate, we offer unparalleled choice and put health first. Clients select from 117 diverse food options – including 76 fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs – empowering them to make personalized choices that best suit their dietary needs and cultural preferences.
• Pop-Up Eat Well Program: We extend our reach into vulnerable communities throughout South Florida, deploying pop-up events in partnership with other non-profit organizations to combat food insecurity and ensure access to healthy choices.
• Accountable Nutrition Gift Card Program: This program provides flexibility and support to meet specific healthy food needs through grocery gift cards.
• Fuel Pack Healthy Nutrition Program: Addressing acute hunger, we offer healthy Fuel Packs to those who come to us in need, including individuals experiencing homelessness.

 Medically Tailored Grocery Program (MTG) helps South Floridians Eat Well

Our flagship MTG Program brings health-specific nutrition right to participants’ doorstep.

• Medically Tailored Groceries are designed to meet the unique nutritional needs of people with specific health conditions (Diabetes, HIV, cancer, heart, or kidney disease), supporting health management, eliminating food insecurity, and improving quality of life.
• Eligibility includes anyone with a qualifying medical condition that impacts dietary needs who makes less than 400% of Federal Poverty Level.
• Intake is easy by downloading the physician certification and application. Have a physician complete the certification and the participant completes the application. Turn both to our intake specialist. The intake specialist enters the information into our medical record and generates a pin/username so the participant can order groceries online for pick up or delivery.

Medically Tailored Groceries Contain Enough Nutrition for One Week’s Worth of Meals

• Fresh Fruits, Nuts, Herbs, and Vegetables that each participant chooses.
• Whole Grains and Legumes that each participant chooses.
• Lean Proteins that each participant chooses.
• Special items based on medical requirements that each participant chooses.
• No wrong choices because grocery inventory is curated by nutritionists.
• Foods that cater to individualized health needs.
• Support for managing diabetes, heart disease, cancer and more.

Funders in 2023 included Elevance Foundation, The Jim Moran Foundation, Publix Supermarket’s Charities, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Broward County’s Community Partnerships Division, Campbell Foundation, Our Fund Foundation, Howard Greenfield Charitable Foundation, Warten Foundation, Central New York Community Foundation, Winn Dixie, Network for Good, New Hampshire Foundation, Broward County Sheriff’s Office, KPMG, CCN Pharmacy, The UK Online Giving Foundation, Neiman Marcus Group Associate Giving Program, Wilton Metropolitan, CATF America, Amazon Smile, AMEX Online Giving, Starbucks Foundation, Cashbox Donations, Individual Donors like You!

Grants/Major Gifts received from: Ryan White Part A and EHE Broward County Community Partnerships, Clear Health Alliance, Broward Community and Family Health Centers, SMART Ride, Gilead, Bank of America Caring Friends, Estate of James J Fahy, Estate of Joel and Samuel Roskin, Door Dash, Feeding South Florida, United Way’s Project Lifeline

Impact Fiscal Year 3/2023-2/2024 for our Medically Tailored Grocery Program (MTG)

This year, we were honored serve 3,493 South Floridians dealing with chronic illnesses, eliminating food insecurity among participants. Through our programs, we provided 29,029 weeks of wholesome, nutrient rich Medically Tailored Groceries, directly contributing to improved health outcomes, food security, and a better quality of life. Within this program, we served 2,135 people in Broward who have HIV with 18,481 weeks’ worth of healthy, Medically Tailored Groceries. Our cost-effective approach means that for just $3.03 per day – less than a Café Americano at the local coffee shop – we provide essential nutrition for wellness.

Table 1 Food Costs and Estimated Cost Per Meal

Ryan White Part A Outcome Measures include Viral Suppression. When someone with HIV is virally suppressed, that means that HIV is not readily replicating in their system and it’s impossible to transmit HIV sexually. We say “Undetectable is Untransmittable.” For our program participants in Broward, our Viral Suppression rate was 92%, for our program participants in Palm Beach, 91.83%.

For those who have HIV, our programs helped people an average 8.65 times to achieve food security in 2023-2024 fiscal year. Viewed another way, in food cost it took $169.68  per person to achieve food security for 2,135 people with HIV in 2023.

DB: “You helped me with food and helped me a lot with my diet. I tell everyone that has Lupus they need to apply. You always treated me like a person. And that is special to me. Thank you.”

DT: “Thank you Poverello Eat Well Center!!! I was at my lowest point; but you rescued me. I was so ashamed, but you made me feel like a human… of WORTH and DIGNITY. I was so depressed beyond words could explain, but you showed me kindness and understanding with compassion! I was lost; but you helped to anchor me. Thank you Thank you Thank you. You DO NOT KNOW HOW life-changing your actions were! I need you to know that. To anyone needing help. PLEASE do not be afraid to reach out, they will help you. DON’T wait like me, until it was almost too late to believe. You are not alone. They will truly help!”

Pop Up Eat Well Center Events

Poverello’s Pop Up Eat Well Center is a community-based solution addressing food insecurity and its health consequences. Each Pop Up brings healthy food access and nutrition education directly to South Florida’s poorest and most underserved neighborhoods.

Pop Up Eat Well Center Core Elements

Education – Key in eating well for a lifetime is understanding what it means to eat healthy. This includes basic food preparation, storage, and handling practices. Nutritional counseling from our chef and registered dietitian/licensed nutritionist occurs through cooking classes, ingredient tastings and individual and group sessions at each event.

Foods – Enough healthy, nutritionist curated foods at each Pop Up for participants to make on average a week’s worth of healthy meals. Foods are from every food group, including fresh foods stored at room temperature, refrigerated, and frozen foods.

Choice – People who choose their foods from among healthy options are more likely to eat them, feel a sense of dignity and autonomy while becoming more invested in eating well over the course of their lifetimes. Each pop up offers 112 items from which to choose.

Quality – Foods are sourced from qualified and reputable purveyors, maintained under recommended conditions, and consist of a large variety of options that change over the course of the seasons. Fresh foods sourced close to the farm generally display ripe characteristics, appear more appetizing and taste best.

Medically Tailored – Poverello is the only Florida member of the Food is Medicine Coalition and has developed a system of medically tailoring groceries along with education appropriate for meal plans that consider chronic condition needs such as:

•      Heart Healthy
•      Kidney Friendly
•      Diabetes Friendly
•      General Healthy
•      Vegetarian Friendly

Data Driven –Pop Up Eat Well Center locations are selected by using government and community-based organization data including USDA’s Food Access Research Atlas data for food access, SNAP utilization and transportation/housing availability combined with HRSA’s Health Center Program data contained in the Uniform Data System (UDS) for disease burden issues, CDC’s Vulnerability Index, and partnering CBO’s relevant data.

Partnerships – The intervention works best when partnering with non-food providing Community Based Organizations who understand both the need represented and the individuals who can most likely benefit from the intervention. Issues that people in our poorest neighborhoods face are multifaceted, requiring solutions from various organizations to maximize impact.

This fiscal year this program served 212 families with 2032 weeks’ worth of healthy groceries to address their food insecurity. These families reside in areas with a score of .90 on CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index and rank high regarding poverty and poor healthy food access according to USDA’s Food Access Research Atlas.

Collaborating partners in 2023 included Compass Community Center, Optimal Health Choice, Belle Glade Pharmacy, Pridelines Youth Services, Survivors Pathway, Everglades Community Center, Simply Healthcare Community Center, MODCO, Broward Health, Broward Community Family Health Center, and the City of Lauderhill.

Accountable Nutrition Gift Card Program

We distributed 2,032 accountable nutrition gift cards of from $45-$75 each to 426 people with HIV in Palm Beach. In addition, we invested $45,000 from our revenues into this program this year. Gift cards normalize the food assistance experience, reduce stigma, and increase autonomy. We ask that participants provide us receipts from their purchases. Using newer purchasing technologies, we can review purchases to ensure people are using the cards for healthy foods and provide nutrition counseling if needed.

Collaborating partnerships in 2023 include Compass Community Center, AHF, and Midland. Funded by Ryan White Part A Palm Beach County Community Services

Fuel Pack Nutrition for the Hungry and Unhoused

Poverello turns no one away. This past year we have seen more people who are unhoused than at any other time in our history. That means that last fiscal year, 7,104 times we faced someone who was homeless and hungry, about 24 people per day. We used to provide only items that were donated, like a can of beets, or bread. Now, thanks to Broward Health partnership, we’re able to purchase healthy “Fuel Packs” of items selected by our nutritionist and informed by participant feedback like “soft fruits and vegetables” to accommodate dental problems and “pop tops” so that items like tuna, chicken are available without a can opener.

Collaborating partnerships this fiscal year included Broward Health and the IDEA Clinic.

Funded by Broward Health, United Way’s Project Lifeline, Feeding South Florida

Quick Orange-Glazed Roasted Parsnips & Carrots

Quick Orange-Glazed Roasted Parsnips & Carrots

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb parsnips, sliced
• 1/2 lb carrots, sliced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Dash of salt and black pepper
• 1 tsp dry or fresh herbs of choice (optional)
• 1 orange (zest + 3 tbsp juice)
• 2 tbsp honey

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Toss parsnips and carrots with olive oil, salt, pepper, and optional herbs.
3. Roast for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway.
4. Zest orange, then squeeze 3 tbsp juice.
5. Add zest, juice, and honey to veggies. Toss and roast for 15-20 minutes.
6. Transfer to a plate, garnish with parsley, and serve. Enjoy this quick and flavorful side dish!

Cooking Classes Begin

Do you want to learn how to cook delicious and nutritious meals? Look no further! Our upcoming cooking classes are just what you need. Join us on November 21 for Mini Turkey Meatloaf, December 5 for Sweet Potato Gnocchi, and December 19 for Lentil Pilaf.

Don’t miss out – sign up now by contacting our nutritionist at poverello.org or call/text/fax at (954)361-3194. Limited spots available!

Poverello Eat Well Center Welcomes Registered Dietitian/Licensed Nutritionist Marcia Saint Victor

Poverello Eat Well Center is proud to announce the addition of Registered Dietitian/Licensed Nutritionist Marcia Saint Victor to its team. Marcia has a wealth of experience in nutrition counseling and education, and she is passionate about helping people eat well to improve their health and well-being.

At Poverello Eat Well Center, Marcia will be providing free nutrition assessments and counseling, as well as leading healthy cooking classes. Her recipes are based on the 117 different healthy food items that Poverello offers, so you can always count on finding a new and delicious meal to try.

Marcia is excited to be a part of the Poverello team and to help the community eat well. She believes that everyone deserves access to healthy food and nutrition information, and she is committed to making a difference in the lives of her clients.

Here are some of the benefits of working with Marcia:

• She is a registered dietitian and licensed nutritionist, which means she has the knowledge and expertise to help you achieve your nutrition goals.
• She is passionate about helping people eat well to improve their health and well-being.
• She provides free nutrition assessments and counseling.
• She leads healthy cooking classes that are based on the healthy food items that Poverello offers.

If you are interested in learning more about Marcia’s services or scheduling a nutrition assessment, please call Poverello Eat Well Center (954) 361-3194

2021 Volunteers at Poverello Provide Amazing Benefits to Our Communities

For 2021, volunteers at the Poverello Center, Inc. provided $1,396,420 worth of labor. Their 48928.51 hours in 2021 reflected the work of 23.52 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) workers. The IRS considered an hour of volunteering as worth $28.54 in 2021.

“Volunteers in the United States are 63 million strong and hold up the foundation of civil society. They help their neighbors, serve their communities and provide their expertise. No matter what kind of volunteer work they do, they are contributing in invaluable ways.”

— Independent Sector

Thank you volunteers for your dedicated service to our important mission!

Egg Muffins

Ingredients (2 servings)

4 large eggs

1/3 cup diced bell peppers

1/3 cup chopped mushrooms

1/3 cup chopped scallions

1/3 cup sweet corn

1/2 cup chopped broccoli

1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

Salt

Pepper

 

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 375F
2. In a medium bowl mix bell peppers, mushrooms, broccoli, scallions, corn and cheese. Divide into muffin cups (filling about halfway).
3. In a large bowl whisk eggs, salt and pepper.
4. Pour egg mixture into muffin cups.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes and serve.
6. Enjoy!

Go Dolphins!

Poverello is grateful to the Miami Dolphins for helpnig us with 100 ready to eat meals for people experiencing food insecurity due to COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Each day, they’re delivering to our Pompano Beach Thrift Store so we can deliver them to our community. Thank you Marlins for being there for us at this time!

Gift Cards

The Poverello Center offers some program clients gift cards (vouchers) in exchange for agreement with two principles:

1. Retain and Return both the gift card and the receipt for purchases made with the grocery gift card.
2. Purchase only Healthy/Nutritious Foods that support a well balanced, culturally appropriate meal plan.

MyPlateMyWins

TARGET CIRCLE RESULTS ARE IN, AND ITS A BULLSEYE!

We are excited to share that guests at Target stores cast 37,899 votes to The Poverello Center Inc, awarding Target unrestricted funds in the amount of $4,522.39 to Poverello. Most importantly, they voted for our mission and the impact we have on our community. Full results are now posted for members of Target Circle at https://circle.target.com/cr/results. Thank you Target Shoppers!

 

Events & Happenings

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