Last updated 2021-10-25T20:40:44Z

Veggies for Veterans

Veggies for Veterans project focused on President Lincoln's promise: "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. We did this by establishing a mechanism in which fresh fruit and vegetables could be made available by community donation for homeless veterans in Phoenix, Arizona.
Veggies for Veterans mobile market was established in collaboration with the Non-profit Diana Gregory Outreach Services in Phoenix, AZ. Over $105,000 has been raised to date. This service is located in a food desert within Phoenix. This program has transformed the lives of homeless veterans, through healthy eating choices, delivery and set up of a farmer’s market on their subsidized housing site and VA hospital. Collectively we were focused on improving the daily life of our homeless veterans and introducing them to our goals of education on healthy eating, choices when food shopping, and learning how to prepare fresh produce.
This is a successful collaboration between government, non-profit, and charitable giving secondary to a common goal. Our program has over 8600 veteran served at 66 markets since inception in April 2017 and will continue for the foreseeable future as community donations already received to provide markets through the end of 2021.

Origin:

April 2017, Carl T. Hayden Veterans' Administration Medical Center (Phoenix, Arizona)

Adoptions:

1 in-progress

Awards and Recognition:

Excellence in Government Alumni Award 2018, Diffusion of Excellence Dynamic Award 2021

Partners:

Diffusion of Excellence

Overview

Problem

To help address food insecurity for homeless and low income veterans living in a food desert in Phoenix AZ. Previously homeless vets have a larger number of health problems than the overall population .
Data:
23% of homeless vets have high blood pressure
Nearly 1 in 4 veterans has diabetes
VA patients also tend to be older, have lower incomes, and hav ... To help address food insecurity for homeless and low income veterans living in a food desert in Phoenix AZ. Previously homeless vets have a larger number of health problems than the overall population .
Data:
23% of homeless vets have high blood pressure
Nearly 1 in 4 veterans has diabetes
VA patients also tend to be older, have lower incomes, and have limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables

Veggies for Veterans market is held monthly at Victory Place which is in a Food Desert with limited access to fresh produce. There are 70 VASH ( VA Supportive Housing) and 130 Low income veterans residing here so this was an ideal place to target a large number of veterans with food insecurity See more

Images

Veggies for Veterans co-founders Diana Gregory and Dr. Isabel Kozak

Solution

A mobile market brings fresh fruits and vegetables every month to a HUD/VASH housing complex. The 501C raises the funds, orders the produce and provides the market. VA provides the venue, veterans, and social workers. Veterans have been receiving $10 free produce, eggs for protein and bottled water every month since 2017. During Covid, we altered the markets ... A mobile market brings fresh fruits and vegetables every month to a HUD/VASH housing complex. The 501C raises the funds, orders the produce and provides the market. VA provides the venue, veterans, and social workers. Veterans have been receiving $10 free produce, eggs for protein and bottled water every month since 2017. During Covid, we altered the markets and bag the produce, then give them to the veterans. We have started a drive through option last year. See more

Links

Veggies for Veterans market and Fox 10 local coverage Fox 10 news coverage

News article Article on Veggies for Veterans

Results

Veggies for Veterans project focused on President Lincoln's promise: "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. We did this by establishing a mechanism in which fresh fruit and vegetables could be made available by community donation for homeless v ... Veggies for Veterans project focused on President Lincoln's promise: "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. We did this by establishing a mechanism in which fresh fruit and vegetables could be made available by community donation for homeless veterans in Phoenix, Arizona.
Veggies for Veterans mobile market was established in collaboration with the Non-profit Diana Gregory Outreach Services in Phoenix, AZ. Over $105,000 has been raised to date. This service is located in a food desert within Phoenix. This program has transformed the lives of homeless veterans, through healthy eating choices, delivery and set up of a farmer’s market on their subsidized housing site and VA hospital. Collectively we were focused on improving the daily life of our homeless veterans and introducing them to our goals of education on healthy eating, choices when food shopping, and learning how to prepare fresh produce. Veggies for Veterans has been featured on TV, radio, social media and newspapers. See more

Metrics

This is a successful collaboration between government, non-profit, and charitable giving secondary to a common goal. Our program has over 9200 veteran served at 53 markets since inception in April 2017 and will continue for the foreseeable future as community donations already received to provide markets through the end of 2021.

Diffusion tracker

Does not include Clinical Resource Hubs (CRH)

There are no successful adoptions for this innovation.

SC: Charleston VA Clinic (North Charleston City Hall Lane)

There are no unsuccessful adoptions for this innovation.

Implementation

Departments

Voluntary Services
Social work

Core Resources

Resource type	Resource description
PEOPLE	Dedicated employee who is passionate about food insecurity- Voluntary, Nursing or Social work service

Optional Resources

Resource type	Resource description
PEOPLE	Social work and or voluntary services

Contact

Comment

Comments and replies are disabled for retired innovations and non-VA users.

Email

Email VHAPHOVeggiesforVeterans@va.gov with questions about this innovation.

About

Origin story

Veggies for Veteran started from the Excellence in Government Fellows Program, Class of 2017. Curbside Delivery was added in February 2021. Serving 60 previously homeless and low income Veterans in Transitional housing, and 60 homebound Veterans monthly with free $10 fresh fruits and vegetables.

Original team

Isabel Kozak

Founder, ACOS Community Medicine Phoenix VA

Search tags

COVID-19 Curbside Care Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Geriatric Health Health Equity Veteran Experience Whole Health

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