Strategic Partnership Tackles Food Insecurity and Chronic Disease

United Way of Westchester and Putnam recently partnered with Feeding Westchester, DoorDash, and White Plains Hospital to deliver essential nutrition support to families in need. Through the Food is Medicine program, 118 bags filled with fresh produce and pantry staples reached community members managing chronic health conditions. This collaborative effort demonstrates how strategic partnerships can address both food insecurity and health outcomes, giving families the resources they need to thrive.


The concept of “food as medicine” recognizes that nutrition is a powerful tool for preventing and managing chronic disease. Access to fresh, nutritious food can be as important as medication for individuals living with conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. For many families struggling with food insecurity, the choice between buying healthy produce and affording other necessities creates a vicious cycle where poor nutrition worsens health conditions. The Food is Medicine program breaks this cycle by ensuring that those who need nutritious food the most have reliable access to it.