Program provides free nutritious food boxes to support clinic patients

Nutritious food is becoming more accessible to patients at one Wake County regional center thanks to the new Eat. Well. Wake. program. The program will provide a free box of food twice a month to patients who receive medical care at the Northern Regional Center. The boxes include fresh vegetables grown in Wake County, non-perishable goods and various nutritious items, thanks to local partners.

"Access to nutritious food is a key component of overall health, especially for patients managing health conditions,” said Northern Regional Center Director Ross Yeager. “By providing these food boxes, we’re ensuring patients have the resources to maintain a healthy diet, supporting their well-being not just in the clinic but also at home."

The food boxes are made possible with the help of local partners such as Community Connections Garden, which donates the fresh produce, and Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry, which provides shelf-stable foods and coordinates the packing of boxes with the help of its volunteers. The food in the box helps promote healthy eating habits for the patients' entire family and includes options such as low-sodium, fat-free and sugar-free foods.

Healthcare staff at the Northern Regional Center will refer eligible active patients to the Eat. Well. Wake. program. Boxes will be distributed twice a month at two pickup sites, one in Wake Forest and the other in Rolesville.