Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas - Addressing Food Insecurity

Through the Duke Endowment Trident United Way and Healthy Tri-County have become a partner in Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas (HPHC). HPHC is an initiative designed to help communities in North Carolina and South Carolina encourage healthy eating and active living. Trident United Way is engaging leaders in health care, public health, social services, government, education, business and faith community to combine efforts and work to collaboratively addres the health challenges we face as a community, rather than going at it alone.

Food for Health

In partnership with Lowcountry Food Bank, food pharmacies have been implemented within health clinics, such as the St. James Health and Wellness Clinic and the Elijah Wright Family Health Center. Upon visiting these clinics for well-checks or other medical issues, individuals are screened for food insecurity and other social determinants of health. Those identified as needing extra support (50-60% at these locations) are then given access to fresh fruits, meats, and dairy from on-site food pharmacies at the clinics. 

FoodShare Berkeley County

FoodShare Berkeley County, powered by Trident United Way, seeks to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to the Berkeley County community to improve financial stability in homes and change individuals' lives through healthy eating. Fresh Food Boxes are available every other week and are filled with a variety of healthy fruits and vegetables at a very affordable price. Boxes can be purchased with SNAP benefits or with a credit/debit card.

Free and Fresh Fridge

A monthly produce distribution program and nutrition education for families visiting public libraries in Charleston County. Nutrition education incuded recipe cards for produce in-season, and were provided in both english and spanish. Three library branches hosted Free & Fresh Fridges - John L. Dart Library, Otranto Road Regional Library and St. Paul's Hollywood Library.

Partners: Charleston County Public Library, Limehouse Produce

Outcomes:

  • 65,000 lbs of produce distributed to the community

Growfood-Headstart Produce Distribution

A bi-weekly local produce box distribution and nutrition education for families in Head Start programs in Charleston County. Nutrition education included recipe cards, taste testing and Cooking Matters classes.

Partners: Growfood Carolina, Charleston County School District - Headstart, Lowcountry Food Bank

Outcomes:

  • 12 Head Start Early Education Centers reached
  • 220,000lbs of produce distributed
  • 10,001 Food Boxes delivered
  • 850 families fed

School Gardens for Lowcountry Educators

An in-person teacher training and school garden installation for Title I Schools in the Dorchester District 4 community. Teachers received horticulture training and ongoing technical support and equipment was provided for schools to start and sustain successful gardens. This provided additional spaces for outdoor learning and instilled a love for healthy eating in children.

Partners: Boeing Center for Children's Wellness, Clemson Extension, Dorchester District 4 Schools

Outcomes:

Schools supplied with a garden and teacher training on garden curriculum for students:

  • Clay Hill Elementary School
  • Harleyville-Ridgeville Elementary School
  • Harleyville-Ridgeville Middle School
  • Woodland High School
  • St. George Middle School
  • Williams Memorial Elementary School

South Carolina Healthy Business Challenge

A regional employee wellness education program focused on policy, systems and infrastructure change.

Partners: Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), City of Charleston, Arthur J Gallagher, Blue Cross Blue Shield SC, SC Hospital Association

Outcomes:

  • Membership: 19 companies representing Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties
  • Policies, Systems and Infrastructure changes: 14 non duplicated related to tobacco, physical activity and nutrition
  • Number of employees affected by changes: 6,072 (estimate)

Quarterly seminars were provided to participants to share best practices:

  • Aug 2021 – “Wellbeing in the Post-Pandemic Workplace”
  • November 2021 – “Prioritizing Health and Wellbeing of Women in the Workplace”
  • March 2022 – “How Businesses Can Make Wellbeing an Authentic Part of Their Organizational DNA”
  • May 2022 – “Best Practices from Local Business Mt. Pleasant Waterworks”
     

Questions about Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas? Contact Joey Current, Trident United Way Health Programs Manager at jcurrent@tuw.org.