Food Insecurity Impacts the Health and Well-being of Local Communities
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sutter Health is providing more than $300,000 to dozens of food banks across Northern California, and in Oregon and Hawaii. The investment by the not-for-profit health system enables local food banks to provide healthy meals or food items to those in need.
“Consistent access to wholesome, nutritious foods is one of the building blocks of good health,” said Grace I. Davis, senior vice president of external affairs for Sutter Health. “Improved nutrition can help sustain the foundation for healthier communities long term.”
Sutter Health’s investments to community food banks over the past 10 holiday seasons total more than $2.8 million—which has fed countless individuals and families. Sutter also collaborates with area food banks and other local agencies throughout the year, investing millions more, to help support healthy, nutritious eating. Some examples include the Sutter Health Nutrition Center with Yolo Food Bank and the “Food as Medicine” program that connects anyone who is hospitalized and shows signs of food insecurity or malnourishment with Interfaith Food Bank of Amador County.
“For over half a century, the River City Food Bank has been a cornerstone of support in Sacramento County, dedicated to ensuring that everyone facing food insecurity has access to nutritious and substantial meals. As we navigate a year marked by an unprecedented surge in demand, our mission to offer unwavering support to those in need becomes ever more vital. The extraordinary generosity of Sutter Health has been instrumental in our ability to meet these growing challenges, making a significant difference in the lives of countless individuals and families in our community,” said Erika Fatula, director of fund development at River City Food Bank.
“With the high cost of living and reduced government support, the food insecurity crisis is stretching on, and we are now serving an average of 500,000 people every month,” said Second Harvest of Silicon Valley CEO Leslie Bacho. “That’s a staggering one in six people in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties turning to Second Harvest for help. That’s why support from partners like Sutter Health is so critical. This grant will make an immediate positive impact in the community, helping to provide enough food for 67,000 nutritious meals.”
Sutter Health’s Commitment to Communities
As a not-for-profit organization, Sutter Health is committed to the health and well-being of the communities it serves. That commitment includes supporting community health initiatives and programs outside of its care facilities. Sutter Health’s total community benefit investment was $899 million in 2022. These funds supported traditional charity care, unreimbursed Medi-Cal costs, health education and community clinics.
