Orlando Health and Second Harvest Food Bank Reduce Impact of Food Insecurity on Elementary Students

Orlando, FL (April 20, 2022) – Students at Orange Center Elementary now have increased access to a variety of nutritious, non-perishable foods free of charge thanks to the installation of a dedicated, on-site market pantry provided by Orlando Health and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. 

Located in the West Lakes Community of Orlando with a student population of 299, Orange Center Elementary sits in the middle of a classified food desert which can pose obstacles to residents in accessing affordable and healthy food. For children who live in food deserts, this lack of access can translate to a higher risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity and hypertension during childhood and into adulthood. The partnership between Orlando Health and Second Harvest Food Bank will provide one form of intervention for students at risk of facing hunger while also helping to reduce the long-term impacts that result from having limited access to nutritious food. 

“In Central Florida, one in seven people – and one in five kids – are at risk of facing hunger every day. School partnerships, like the one at Orange Center Elementary, provide access to food resources for students and their families,” said Karen Broussard, chief community impact officer at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. “Each school partnership creates a connection between a community or corporate partner, like Orlando Health, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, and the school in order to address the unique needs of each school community. By creating these partnerships, students are able to access the food they need to be successful in the classroom.” 

The pantry is available to all students, no questions asked. In addition to carrying food similar to what can be found in a grocery store, the pantry will also offer a variety of snack and meal items for students and their families who may be experiencing hunger.  

“We know that having regular access to healthy and nutritious food can have a positive impact on how children learn, but it can also set them up to live healthier lives as they continue to grow,” said Lainie Fox Ackerman, assistant vice president external affairs and community benefit, Orlando Health. “This partnership provides these students with the opportunity to not only make healthier choices now, but to also create a healthier future. We are proud to partner with Second Harvest Food Bank on this initiative and excited for the impact this will have on these students and their families." 

The installation of the pantry is an additional program through which Orlando Health has partnered with Orange Center Elementary to positively impact the health of its students. Since 2016, Orlando Health has supported and helped to maintain a teaching garden located on the school’s campus. The garden provides opportunities for students to learn how to grow and care for produce by planting seeds at the beginning of the year and harvesting the produce in the spring. The fruits and vegetables that are grown are available for students to take home to their families and also exposes them to produce they may not otherwise be introduced to.  

 “This partnership, and others like it, speak to the investment that our local businesses and organizations are willing to make to help our children be successful,” said Dr. Maria Vazquez, deputy superintendent, Orange County Public Schools. “Having easy access to healthy and nutritious food, during and after the school day, gives children the brain boost they need to excel in the classroom. Thank you, Orlando Health and Second Harvest Food Bank for your continued commitment and support to our children.” 

 

About Orlando Health

Orlando Health, headquartered in Orlando, Florida, is a private, not-for-profit healthcare organization with $7.1 billion of assets under management that serves the southeastern United States. 

Founded more than 100 years ago, the healthcare system is recognized around the world for its pediatric and adult Level One Trauma program as well as the only state-accredited Level Two Adult Trauma Center in Pinellas County. It is the home of the nation’s largest neonatal intensive care unit under one roof, the only system in the southeast to offer open fetal surgery to repair the most severe forms of spina bifida, the site of an Olympic athlete training facility and operator of one of the largest and highest performing clinically integrated networks in the region. Orlando Health is a statutory teaching system that pioneers life-changing medical research. The 3,200-bed system includes 15 wholly-owned hospitals and emergency departments; rehabilitation services, cancer and heart institutes, imaging and laboratory services, wound care centers, physician offices for adults and pediatrics, skilled nursing facilities, an in-patient behavioral health facility, home healthcare services in partnership with LHC Group, and urgent care centers in partnership with CareSpot Urgent Care. Nearly 4,200 physicians, representing more than 80 medical specialties and subspecialties have privileges across the Orlando Health system, which employs nearly 22,000 team members. In FY20, Orlando Health served nearly 150,000 inpatients and nearly 3.1 million outpatients. During that same time period, Orlando Health provided approximately $760 million in total value to the communities it serves in the form of charity care, community benefit programs and services, community building activities and more. Additional information can be found at http://www.orlandohealth.com.