By Bekah Clawson, President & CEO
Every March, National Nutrition Month invites us to think more intentionally about the food we eat, and the role nutrition plays in our overall health. But for thousands of families in our community, nutrition isn’t simply a matter of choice — it’s a matter of access.
For neighbors experiencing food insecurity, the most affordable foods are often the least nutritious. Fresh produce, lean proteins, and whole grains can be difficult to find on a limited budget, and they are not always readily available through the charitable food network. This challenge is even more urgent for neighbors managing chronic health conditions like diabetes or heart disease, where healthy eating is essential but often out of reach.
At Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana, we believe that every family deserves access to nutritious food, not just calories. That’s why we have made nutrition a core priority across our programs and throughout our warehouse operations.
We follow the Healthy Eating Research (HER) nutrition guidelines, which help us evaluate the foods we source and distribute. Using a simple color system — green foods to eat often, yellow foods to enjoy in moderation, and red foods to consume less frequently — we continually monitor our inventory and work to increase the amount of healthy food available to our partners and neighbors. This is not always easy. Donations fluctuate, healthy foods are more expensive to purchase, and demand continues to rise. But we are committed to moving our inventory in the right direction.
Several of our programs already put nutrition front and center.
Food as Medicine partnerships connect healthcare providers and patients with nutritious foods that support better health outcomes.
Mobile Market brings fresh, healthy options directly into neighborhoods where grocery access is limited.
Senior Safety Net ensures older adults receive nutrient‑dense foods that support healthy aging.
The Big Idea school distributions help children and families access wholesome foods that fuel learning and growth.
Nutrition is not a luxury. It is a foundation for health, dignity, and opportunity. This National Nutrition Month, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that families in our commuity have access not just to food, but to the kind of food that helps them thrive. If you would like to support this nutritional effort, you can get involved here!
