Bags full of fresh fruits and vegetables from the Fresh Food Farmacy, means LaTiffanie’s children know what they’re having for dinner.  “Chef” Edward, 8, who once had a picky palate, is now the king of the kitchen!

“When he’s part of the cooking process, he will eat anything,” said LaTiffanie. “He gets excited to try new recipes.” 

Exploring and trying new things is part of how we help our patients, like Edward, who has Down syndrome, and has congenital heart disease. Both of his sisters are La Rabida patients, who come to see our specialists at La Rabida Chicago Children’s Diabetes Center.  “We were here for an appointment when it first started, and we were surprised to see the set up,” said LaTiffanie. “Every year we register and are excited to see the program come back!”

Many of our families face healthcare disparities and inequities, making it difficult to get quality, specialty care. At La Rabida, our team understands the impact socio-economic obstacles can have on healing, growth, and development.

“When we are talking with our families food insecurity is a big part of the conversation,” said Care Coordinator, Ana Camacho. “When we are able to offer a support for more than just their medical needs, you see relief and hope in their eyes.”

The Fresh Food Farmacy started in 2021 and since, La Rabida and Just Roots, a local organization with two community farms, supplies fruits and vegetables for our families to take home. The program offers families various ways to pick up their produce order, curbside or walk up to the stand. Also, families can learn from a chef, who donates time to the program and leads monthly cooking demonstrations with kid-friendly recipes.

“Families need dependability,” said Celie Davis, Director of Programs with Just Roots. “We are able to provide nutritionally dense and relevant foods families will eat at no cost.”

The food and education the partnership provides are resources our families need to ensure better health outcomes.