By: Rese Stephens, Dietetic Intern at West Chester University 

During my internship with the Food As Medicine program, I had the opportunity to work closely with The Alliance for Health Equity team, registered dietitians, and community health
workers who were deeply committed to improving health outcomes in the Coatesville community. One of the most valuable parts of my experience was participating in home visits alongside Briana, a community health worker. During these visits, she provided educational handouts, helped participants set up their Instacart accounts, and walked through the food categories available through the program. Briana also shared grocery lists and examples of foods that participants could purchase, which helped make the program easier to navigate.

Through these visits and conversations with participants, I saw firsthand how important practical nutrition education can be. Many participants were eager to learn but were unfamiliar with certain foods or how to prepare them. During one home visit, a participant was unsure of how to use seeds that were available through the program. We discussed soaking chia seeds and how they could support digestion and relieve constipation, and she later chose to purchase a bag using her voucher. Moments like this showed how small pieces
of nutrition education can make a meaningful difference in people’s confidence around food choices.

Registered dietitians working with the program also observed several positive changes among participants, particularly increased vegetable and fish consumption. During one initial
MNT session, a participant shared that she rarely consumed fruits and vegetables because she could not afford them. Experiences like this highlighted how financial barriers can directly impact food choices. The dietitian I shadowed also had “grocery tours” with some participants when insurance allowed. These tours helped participants learn how to navigate
the grocery store, compare food options, and make healthier selections within their budget.

Participants responded very positively to this experience. Expanding opportunities like grocery tours could be beneficial for the program, particularly in supporting long-term
sustainability of healthy habits after the food voucher ends. Participants were also excited about receiving cooking tools such as air fryers, which helped make meal preparation easier and more engaging. In previous program activities, dietetic interns conducted food demonstrations using simple recipes like chili prepared in a crock pot with ingredients covered by the program. These demonstrations provided participants with practical meal ideas that were both affordable and easy to prepare. Expanding opportunities for food demonstrations could further support participants in applying nutrition education to their daily lives.

Throughout my internship, I also assisted with referrals and helped support the community food pantry. Although the pantry was not directly a part of the FAM program, it highlighted the broader issue of food access in the community. Many families relied on these resources, and it was clear that food insecurity remains a significant challenge for many households.

This experience strengthened my understanding of community nutrition and the importance of culturally appropriate education. Many participants were Spanish-speaking, so the program was committed to making sure that all materials were accessible and bilingual. It also reinforced the importance of meeting people where they are by setting small, realistic goals, such as reducing the amount of sugar added to coffee.

Although the Food As Medicine pilot program grant funding is concluding, the impact it has had on participants and the community is clear. Over the course of my internship, I saw how access to healthy foods combined with practical nutrition education can empower individuals and families to make meaningful improvements in their health.