Zufall and partners integrate food and health care for those who need both

Zufall Health’s care extends far beyond the exam room. Through its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) program and network of partners, Zufall supports one of the most important social drivers of health: access to nutritious food.

SNAP-Ed is a federally-funded, state-administered program that helps people make healthy food choices with a limited budget. With SNAP-Ed grant funding, Zufall provides food and nutrition education in five counties—Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren. These services are especially crucial for low-income, uninsured, and underinsured individuals who often face food insecurity alongside limited access to health care. 

Left: Valerie Macchio, executive director of the Sparta Community Food Pantry, helps unload turkeys from the Zufall Eats van before a Thanksgiving food distribution in Dover. Right: Zufall SNAP-Ed cooking classes taught by team members like Lauren Sprich have been able to produce meaningful health changes for attendees. “Thanks to your help, I have been able to lower my hemoglobin A1C to a healthy range,” said Elizabeth (name changed for privacy), who attended a series of cooking classes at her local food bank.

“Food insecurity forces people to rely on low-cost, nutrient-poor foods, which can cause nutritional deficiencies, obesity, chronic disease, and other health issues,” explains Rina Ramirez, MD, chief medical officer at Zufall. “At the same time, limited access to healthy food prevents people from successfully managing medical conditions, and this can affect their ability to work, making it even harder to afford quality food.”

Zufall partners with numerous community organizations, including the Sparta Community Food Pantry and LocalShare, a program of Foodshed Alliance, to address these interconnected challenges.

“Many of our patients live in food deserts with limited access to healthy, affordable choices. Thanks to the Sparta Community Food Pantry, we provide home deliveries of food that both respect our patients’ cultural preferences and meet their dietary needs,” says Jane Harrington, RDN, director of Zufall SNAP-Ed.

LocalShare, a program that gleans produce from local farms, hosts free produce markets at accessible locations like schools, churches, and senior centers. As a key partner in these efforts, Zufall contributes with nutrition education and cooking demonstrations.

Zufall also routinely provides medical services, including vaccines, at food distribution events hosted by both organizations. 

“These collaborative partnerships not only support access to food but also create touchpoints for individuals who may otherwise forgo medical and dental care,” Harrington adds. “Our shared goal is to ensure everyone has the resources they need.”

In 2024, Zufall SNAP-Ed reached nearly 19,000 people, including both patients and community residents. As food insecurity in New Jersey surpasses one million people and continues to rise, Zufall SNAP-Ed looks forward to expanding its network of partners for an even stronger impact this year.

Find upcoming SNAP-Ed events in your community here

Above: Good nutrition is a team effort. Left to right, standing: Christine Parauda, Daisy Taylor, and Shannon Black of LocalShare; Valerie Maccchio of Sparta Community Food Pantry; Maria Berrio of Norwescap. Front: Christopher Cardola of Zufall Health SNAP-Ed.