National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships
HAP Partnership Impact
VA partnership with Food Research & Action Center to improve Veteran access to nutritious food
By Dr. Tracy L. Weistreich, nurse executive for the Veteran Health Administration’s National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) brings Veterans an array of resources and supportive services for various health care conditions, and partners with nongovernmental partners to add to those resources and services. A partnership between the VA and the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) supports work to connect Veterans to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other federal nutrition programs.
According to VA, food insecurity is a lack of access to enough food for a healthy lifestyle. Veterans who served in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan experience high rates of food insecurity. This partnership with FRAC will add to VA’s efforts to address food insecurity among Veterans. As part of partnership efforts, VA will educate FRAC on how VA screens Veterans for food insecurity and connects Veterans in need to resources.
FRAC’s mission is to improve the nutrition, health, and well-being of people struggling against poverty-related hunger in the United States through advocacy, partnerships, and equitable policy solutions. FRAC provides research, data, and materials on how ensuring that no one in America goes hungry is foundational to health, education, national security, and economic priorities. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Nutrition and Food Services office offers a budget friendly meal planning worksheet, nutrition tips for unhoused Veterans, and a weekly meal planner grocery list.
FRAC will work with VA-affiliated dietitians, social workers, and community engagement specialists to connect Veterans at risk of food insecurity to nutrition programs and resources. A goal of this partnership is to reach Veterans through outreach events, educational services such as webinars, and sites where they can receive assistance completing applications for SNAP and other nutrition programs. The partnership enables VA to support Veterans who do not receive their care through VA and connect them with national and local resources to support their health and well-being.
"Veterans sacrificed for our country, they shouldn't have to sacrifice their health and well-being because they are hungry," said Luis Guardia, president of FRAC. "We look forward to working with VA to ensure every Veteran has access to the nutrition they need for a healthy, active life."
Heather Luper, VHA National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships (HAP) clinical social worker, is helping to facilitate the formalization of the partnership and said she knows how important it is to add food security-focused partnerships to VA’s portfolio.
“To conquer food insecurity and undernutrition among Veterans, first we need information,” Ms. Luper said. “Together with FRAC, we can screen more Veterans more efficiently to understand who is at risk and what their needs are. Then, we can utilize our combined resources and knowledge to help them understand where to turn—whether that’s a food pantry, a SNAP application, or another resource. Veterans can live healthfully with access to good food, and we look forward to helping them get it.”
VA has partnerships in place with other organizations that seek to help Veterans gain access to regular healthy meals, such as the partnership with MAZON.
For more information on HAP partnerships, please visit va.gov/healthpartnerships.
External Link Disclaimer: This page contains links that will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.
Posted August 06, 2021
