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 address the health challenges we face as a community, rather than going at it alone.

Food for Health

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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 Tri-County

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FoodShare Tri-County, powered by Trident United Way, seeks to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to Berkeley, Dorchester and Charleston 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 free and fresh fridge at a local library, filled with fresh fruits and vegetables next to a three tiered stand containing additional produce baskets

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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

Photo of two individuals wearing masks and holding a large cardboard box containing produce

Sign on the outside of a school that says Drop off & Pic Up

A parent speaking with a representative from Lowcountry Food Bank about a recipe to prepare with produce in a box

A pile of small plastic containers with lids containg Pasta with Beans& Greens

Rep from Lowcountry Food Bank holding a description flyer for Greens, standing in front of the large cardboard boxes containing produce

Outside of the GrowFood building

A group of three individuals wearing Live United shirts packing large cardboard boxes with produce at a warehouse

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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

A group of teachers and students stands behind a garden bed with greenery, a Trident United Way staffer holds a blue bucket containing produce

A teacher holds dirt in her hands above a small bucket containing dirt while a young girl looks on

Two male students are smoothing dirt in a garden bed

Several teachers sitting in a large room listening to two instructors reviewing documents

Three indivduals are sticking their hands in a large bucket of dirt during an instructional session for teachers

Two individuals are helping to put a plank of wood in place to build garden beds in a large warehouse type room

Several teachers stand around a wooden outline for a garden bed listening to three instrutors, one is holding a trellis

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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

South Carolina Health Business Challenge Logo

Several individuals walking around a large outdoor space that contains gym equipment

Several individuals seated classroom style in a large room in an office building in a presentation

Trident United Way staff member speaking at a Healthy Business Challenge event

Five individuals wear professional clothes posing for photo, one holds a certificate from the Healthy Business Challenge

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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