Farm to Fork Series to Help Eastside Residents Eat Healthy
Published: 3/4/2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 4, 2022
Contact:
Phil Pitchford
Public Information Officer
951-826-5975
Farm to Fork Series to Help Eastside Residents Eat Healthy
Partnership between Molina and City Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes to include access to organic fresh produce, health education and recipe cards
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – A new Farm to Fork initiative will support 50 low-income residents in the Eastside neighborhood dealing with chronic health conditions by providing them with organic fresh produce, health education, and recipe cards delivered to their homes monthly.
The effort is a partnership between Riverside City Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes and Molina Healthcare of California, which provided $10,000 to secure seeds for 5-10 pounds of produce harvested weekly for community members. On a monthly basis, a local chef from Tre’Dish will lead a virtual, hands-on cooking demonstration with the group using the fresh produce to educate families about the importance of nutrition and how to prepare healthy meals on a budget.
“Having knowledge of and access to healthy foods is vital to the well-being of our communities,” Cervantes said. “We are providing families with locally grown fresh produce from the UC Riverside Community Garden, then giving them the tools they need to create meals for the nourishment of their loved ones. This is a huge step towards building whole health! Molina’s partnership and charitableness in the Farm to Fork initiative is exactly the kind of efforts that bring real change for those in-need in Riverside.”
During a recent virtual kick-off event, Molina sponsored five surprise raffles in which winners will receive a grocery store shopping spree with the chef from Tre’Dish to secure more fresh produce and spices to guide their “healthy cooking at home” journey. The shopping sprees will take place during the next three weeks.
“The health of our communities extends beyond routine doctor visits,” said Abbie Totten, plan president of Molina Healthcare of California. “It starts around the family dinner table. Molina is thrilled to partner with Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes and sponsor initiatives that respond to whole health challenges and deliver real solutions for families.”
Additional Farm to Fork sponsors and community partners include: the City of Riverside, the Riverside Community Health Foundation, World Be Well and Oscar Fajardo, a local chef.
Molina and Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes’ partnership combines their shared effort to address the health needs of families residing in Ward 2 of the City of Riverside and is part of Molina’s ongoing effort to address health inequities across California.
For the latest information and resources regarding the Farm to Fork Initiative, please contact Miguel Lujano at [email protected] or call 951-850-4962.
