As part of a commitment to the health and well-being of area children and families, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital has launched a food rescue initiative in collaboration with Food Rescue US, a nonprofit organization dedicated to collecting and providing rescued food to those in need. Nicklaus Children’s is the first hospital in Florida to collaborate with Food Rescue US to support its vital mission.
“At Nicklaus Children’s, we dedicate ourselves daily to providing medical care and support to children and families. Making sure that surplus food gets to those who need it and supporting children and families in our care who face food insecurity are important ways we support wellness in our community,” said Matthew A. Love, President and CEO of Nicklaus Children’s Health System, parent organization of the hospital.
Ellen Bowen, Site Director for Food Rescue US - South Florida, said, “Our food rescue collaboration with Nicklaus Children's is the first food recovery program in Florida involving a hospital. We appreciate the twice-weekly donations that go to local shelters and faith-based groups. Further, in rescuing this food, we prevent it from ending up in landfills where it decomposes, creating potent methane gas that warms our planet and compromises the health and well-being of those living nearby,” she said.
The 307-bed pediatric hospital in 2023, served more than 240,000 patient meals and snacks, and 1.138 million cafeteria meals and snacks to meet the needs of patients, their families and employees. The hospital collects food earmarked for rescue in dedicated spaces and coordinates with Food Rescue U.S. for the twice weekly pick-ups of rescued food.
In addition, through its Food for Salud initiative, Nicklaus Children’s is committed to moving families from food insecurity to nutrition security. Routine screening for “social drivers of health” – nonmedical factors that influence health outcomes -- is one component of this program and, in 2023, resulted in over 2,000 families receiving referrals for resources. The hospital also leverages experience in clinical nutrition to provide education and cooking demonstrations to help children and families learn fun, approachable, and budget-friendly ways to incorporate nutritious foods into their lives.
“Good quality food is essential to health and wellness. We are proud to work with agencies across our community to connect individuals in need with resources for healthy food,” said Julie Katz, Executive Director, Community Health and Corporate Responsibility.
About Food Rescue US – South Florida
Food Rescue US - South Florida, the local site of National 501c3 Food Rescue US, was launched in January 2018 to fight food insecurity and reduce food waste – a leading solution to climate change. Our network has grown to include 200+ registered food donors, 1,200+ registered volunteers, and 85+ registered social service agencies. Using the Food Rescue US web-based app, our volunteers rescue surplus fresh food from local markets, hotels, events, and large venues, and deliver it directly to agencies serving the food insecure. In six years, the organization has prevented 10.1+ million pounds of food waste in South Florida and provided enough food for over 8 million meals.