RWJBarnabas Health has opened a new Food Farmacy at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJUH Hamilton), aiming to address food insecurity and improve health outcomes in New Jersey. The facility, located at the RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center on Quakerbridge Road in Hamilton, offers nutritious food and personalized nutrition counseling for patients and families in the Mercer County area.
The Food Farmacy was developed through a partnership with Mercer Street Friends, an organization focused on fighting hunger and poverty in Mercer County, and Fairgrown Farm, which supplies fresh local produce. The program provides fresh produce, refrigerated goods, shelf-stable foods, as well as access to registered dietitians. These professionals offer individualized nutrition advice, culturally relevant foods and recipes, and education aimed at preventing and managing chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension.
State funding supports the Food Farmacy initiative as part of New Jersey’s ongoing efforts to promote food security and advance “food as medicine” programs. The goal is to provide reliable access to high-quality food that meets cultural needs for patients dealing with chronic illnesses.
“Together, the partners aim to ensure consistent access to high-quality, culturally relevant food for patients managing chronic conditions.”
