Tackling Food Insecurity Lands Main Line Health Achievement Honor

PAOLI, PA – Main Line Health won the "Community Champions Award” from The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania for its program to address food insecurity.

Main Line Health’s initiative was one of 12 recognized in the 2023 Achievements Awards presented by the nonprofit agency focused on the well-being of Pennsylvanians.

Main Line Health includes Paoli, Lankenau, Bryn Mawr, and Riddle hospitals; Bryn Mawr Rehab; Mirmont Treatment Center, Media; Main Line Health, Concordville, King of Prussia; Broomall and Exton Square; and other locations throughout suburban Philadelphia.

Main Line Health implemented a program to screen patients for food insecurity across its emergency departments.

“Identifying and addressing social determinants of health is an important part of our efforts to deliver safe, high-quality, and equitable care,” said Jack Lynch, CEO of Main Line Health and a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

“I am so proud of the multidisciplinary team that worked to create and implement this effort and hope it can serve as a model for other health systems.”

The program involves identifying at-risk patients and connecting them with resources including a food bag and referrals to community resources such as food pantries and hunger hotlines.

Patch previously reported on Main Line Health's fresh produce grown at Delema G. Deaver's Wellness Farm on a half-acre on the Lankenau Hospital hospital grounds in Wynnewood.

The goal of the Lankenau program is to help patients who are discharged from the hospital maintain a healthy diet.

The produce is delivered to the homes of patients in the region who are experiencing food insecurity.
The awards program was initiated in 1978 to recognize hospitals for innovative approaches to health care. This year, there were 82 entries.