Created By: Billie Smith, MPH, MS INTM, RDN
Healthy Teaching Kitchen Coordinator
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
A program that can help address hunger, food insecurity, suicide prevention, and many other clinical issues affecting our Nation’s treasure. The Warrior Wellness Project (https://www.va.gov/west-palm-beach-health-care/programs/the-warrior-wellness-projecttm/) combines multiple areas:
1. Mental Health and Social Work Services focus on the mind and spirit.
2. HUD/VASH supports veteran housing security.
3. If a veteran needs a mobile device, VA Connected Services provides a smart device so they can connect to VA Warrior Wellness Services.
4. USDA and UF teach nutrition and financial education through their respective IFAS/EFNEP program.
5. The veteran (and their family) will receive medically prescribed whole foods—fruits, vegetables, dairy, proteins, and pantry items—every two weeks through a refrigerated food locker, along with learning how to cook them.
6. The VA’s Healthy Teaching Kitchen turns whole foods into healthy, tasty meals by using all four senses.
7. Our Compensated Work Therapy helps veterans develop skills and find jobs in the community.
I believe creating an integrated team across these services will promote a healthy mind and body. The food locker helps reduce stigma by allowing veterans to receive food without speaking with anyone or being seen leaving with bags of food. The Healthy Teaching Kitchen not only teaches food prep and nutrition, but also helps reduce and possibly eliminate social isolation—one of the major factors behind veteran suicides.