Healthy Food: A Foundation for Good Health

Healthy food is the foundation of good health. To help GVHC patients meet their basic needs, the Foundation launched the Food Pharmacy in April 2023. This initiative provides weekly healthy food bags to patients from ten clinic sites. Two centrally located Modesto clinics serve as distribution hubs, offering 15–20 pound bags of shelf-stable food. The program is a collaboration between GVHC Foundation, Second Harvest of the Greater Valley, and Amazon Distribution DK1 in Manteca. Patients are screened for food insecurity at clinic appointments and, once approved, receive bags filled with items such as pasta, rice, canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, and canned protein. The high demand was evident at the Paradise Clinic launch, where 145 patients lined up on the first day.

GVHC Community Health Workers distribute food with kindness and respect, meeting patients where they are. One unhoused patient, moved by their support, returned items he couldn’t prepare. In a thoughtful response, the team customized a food bag with ready-to-eat items and included a can opener—ensuring he had what he needed. Recognizing that food access isn’t one-size-fits-all, the Foundation is committed to expanding this work. A new Food Pharmacy is planned for Merced in Summer 2025, extending compassionate, tailored care to even more communities.

Appreciation from patients

My family is very grateful. We ran out of food, and this helps.

I hope you stay open for a long time! There are no other food pantries near me.