TampaWell Community Garden and Food Pharmacy
On May 10, 2022, Tampa General Hospital and the City of Tampa broke ground on an exciting initiative designed to nourish the bodies and minds of area residents. We are proud to now offer the TampaWell Community Garden and Food Pharmacy, which serves one of the most food insecure neighborhoods in the city and provides residents with access to nutritious fruits and vegetables, education on healthy nutrition along with support for chronically ill adults and children living in the area.
The TampaWell Community Garden and Food Pharmacy is a unique gathering place that will nourish the bodies and minds of residents in East Tampa. This initiative aims to increase community members' consumption of fruits and vegetables, increase household food security, reduce healthcare provider usage and associated costs, and reduce instances of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. The TampaWell Community Garden and Food Pharmacy will provide a platform to fight food insecurity and educate current and future generations on the importance of healthy eating on their overall wellbeing.
The TampaWell Community Garden and Food Pharmacy will offer access to nutritious foods for high-risk patients and community members. In partnership with the Feeding Tampa Bay Food Rx Program and the Tampa YMCA Veggie Van Produce Prescription Program, the TampaWell Food Pharmacy will help combat food insecurity in East Tampa by bringing nutrient-rich foods to food-insecure patients – free of charge. Like many lower-income neighborhoods in urban areas everywhere, East Tampa struggles with food sovereignty. Tampa General Hospital’s Specialty Center at Healthpark was chosen as the preferred location for the site for the TampaWell Community Garden and Food Pharmacy given the geographic location, socioeconomic demographics, and high food insecurity of the East Tampa neighborhood. The TGH Specialty Center at Healthpark offers diverse services including Primary Care, Pediatrics, OB/GYN, as well as 24 specialty clinics that support an underserved patient population with many nutrition-related chronic and acute illnesses.
How Does the Community Garden Benefit Residents?
Adjacent to the TampaWell Food Pharmacy is a 1-acre teaching garden which will be utilized to provide hands-on nutrition education and bring fresh, seasonal produce to the East Tampa community. We believe that the combination of a provider prescription, healthy food access, and education and motivation to make changes will translate to valuable health improvements. Many residents in the Tampa Bay area face barriers when it comes to accessing resources for proper nutrition. Ensuring this access is critical to developing and maintaining healthy communities. The goals of the TampaWell Community Garden include:
- Improving the health of the community
- Providing food security to vulnerable residents
- Community access to nutritious foods
- Providing educational and developmental opportunities
- Establishing a space for social change
- Supporting obese and chronically ill patients and residents, including adults and children
Please visit us at 5802 N. 30th Street, Tampa, FL 33610.
Food Pharmacy
The TampaWell Community Garden and Food Pharmacy is a unique gathering place that nourishes the bodies and minds of residents in East Tampa. This initiative aims to increase community members' consumption of fruits and vegetables, increase household food security, reduce healthcare provider usage and associated costs, and reduce instances of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. The TampaWell Community Garden and Food Pharmacy provides a platform to fight food insecurity, and educate the community on the importance of healthy eating on their overall wellbeing.
In partnership with the Feeding Tampa Bay Food Rx Program and the Tampa YMCA Veggie Van Produce Prescription Program, the TampaWell Community Garden and Food Pharmacy aims to combat food insecurity by providing nutritious foods to eligible patients of Tampa General Hospital who need help accessing healthy foods, have a nutrition-related medical condition, and are referred by their medical provider.
TGH medical providers will screen patients at our clinics using the Hunger Vital Sign screen tool to identify those who are food insecure and have a nutrition-related chronic condition or disease. Patients will then receive a referral to visit the TampaWell Food Pharmacy and collect specific foods aimed to support their diagnosis. Patients will be scheduled to pick up food weekly for a period of up to 3 years, depending on their need and diagnosis.
The referral process reinforces the idea that food is medicine, helping to reduce the stigma that prevents some low-income families from applying for food assistance programs. Physicians will have the opportunity to refer patients into the Tampa YMCA’s evidence-based health initiatives, Diabetes Prevention Program or Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring, as appropriate, as well as to our community-based nutrition and healthy eating classes.
The TampaWell Food Pharmacy is next to the TGH Family Care Center Healthpark, located at 5802 N. 30th St, Tampa, FL 33610. Adjacent to the TampaWell Food Pharmacy is a 1-acre teaching garden which is used to provide hands-on nutrition education and bring fresh seasonal produce to the East Tampa community. We believe that the combination of a provider prescription, healthy food access, and education and motivation to make changes will translate to valuable health improvements.
If you have questions, contact the TampaWell Food Pharmacy Manager at 813-844-3777 or email: foodpharmacy@tgh.org.
Food Resources
Nutritious foods are key to a healthy diet. Groceries on the Go aims to break barriers that prevent healthy eating – like time, accessibility, and cost. Stock up on fresh produce and whole foods and cook meals for the whole family to enjoy. Items are priced at a discounted cost (below retail), allowing your dollar to stretch further than other grocery stores. Purchase your groceries today to have a healthier tomorrow. Now accepting cash or credit/debit via Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, EBT and Fresh Access Bucks.
Available at TGH Family Care Center Healthpark, located at 5802 N. 30th St, Tampa, FL 33610 on Mondays from 10 – 11 a.m.
Click here for more information on Groceries on the Go.
Click here to download the Groceries on the Go Flyer.
The Veggie Van serves all individuals and families, and was created to assist populations who are working but due to factors such as child care expenses, transportation challenges, and the high cost of living are existing paycheck-to-paycheck and are unable to prioritize healthier food options. The Veggie Van is available every other Wednesday at the TGH Specialty Center at Healthpark at 1 p.m.
Click here to download the Veggie Van flyer.
Dates available:
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January 17, 2024 February 7, 2024 February 21, 2024 March 6, 2024 March 20, 2024 |
April 3, 2024 April 17, 2024 May 1, 2024 June 5, 2024 July 3, 2024 |
August 7, 2024 August 21, 2024 September 4, 2024 September 18, 2024
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Additional Food Resources Provided by Feeding Tampa Bay
Feeding Tampa Bay has a variety of food assistance options available across their 10-county region, like mobile grocery locations, food pantries, benefits assistance, and a job training program. Read through the sections below to help determine which service is right for you. If you still have questions, please visit any of the below:
Mobile Pantries bring fresh groceries to food deserts, where quality, affordable foods are lacking. Feeding Tampa Bay holds mobile pantries 6 days a week, serving families across the region.
Trinity Café is a free, full-service restaurant for those in need of a healthy meal. Every day, guests can enjoy a fresh, nutritious three-course meal on site or to-go from either Trinity locations.
