(LAKE WORTH, FLA) – The Palm Beach County Food Bank (PBCFB), alongside the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County, Palm Beach County Community Services, Florida Blue Foundation and Baptist Health, today officially launched its new Food & Nutrition Program with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. This initiative marks the first time in the organization’s history that it will provide direct food distribution in neighborhoods lacking consistent access to food assistance and nutrition education.
 
With approximately 192,000 food-insecure residents in Palm Beach County, many communities remain outside the reach of existing pantry networks. This new Food & Nutrition Program fills those gaps by bringing food directly to residents while also providing education that promotes long-term health and self-sufficiency.
 
Designed to close service gaps, the program delivers nutritious groceries through a mobile food pantry while pairing each distribution with hands-on nutrition education and medically tailored food boxes for individuals managing chronic health conditions.
 
Each month, participants receive education on a different nutrition-focused topic from meal planning and reading food labels to cooking demonstrations that highlight affordable, healthy recipes. Participants may attend distributions at more than one site, increasing flexibility and access. Intake applications are available in English, Spanish and Creole to ensure broad community participation.
 
“This program represents a significant step forward in how we serve Palm Beach County,” said Jamie Kendall, CEO of the Palm Beach County Food Bank. “We’re not only delivering food where it’s needed most, we’re pairing it with education and medically-tailored options to support long-term health.”
 
At each distribution, residents complete a brief questionnaire through Palm Beach County’s OSCARSS system, allowing the Food Bank to track impact and tailor food selections. Individuals managing chronic conditions, such as diabetes, may receive food aligned with recommended dietary guidelines.
 
Palm Beach County Community Services is funding food procurement, mobile pantry equipment, the OSCARSS system, tailored nutrition boxes and nutrition education. Florida Blue Foundation and Baptist Health are supporting medically-tailored food boxes, and the Florida Department of Health is providing live nutrition education and cooking demonstrations prior to each distribution.
 
“This collaboration addresses both hunger and health,” said Dr. Jyothi Gunta, director of the Florida Department of Health. “By combining access to nutritious food with practical education, we are empowering families to make healthier choices.”
 
Monthly food distributions are currently held at the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County’s West Palm Beach Health Center and the Lantana Library, with additional community locations in each congressional district to be announced.
 
The Food & Nutrition Program marks just one of several strategic program expansions underway at the Palm Beach County Food Bank. The organization is also expanding its Senior Distribution Program, which provides groceries and fresh produce to seniors at designated centers throughout the county, further strengthening its commitment to serving residents at every stage of life.
 
PBCFB procures food from grocery stores, farmers, food distributors, wholesalers and other sources and distributes it to over 200 local community partners, including food pantries, soup kitchens and schools. During its 2024-2025 fiscal year, PBCFB distributed over 10.6 million meals to over 194,000 residents experiencing hunger. The Food Bank has been honored with several accolades, including the Chamber of the Palm Beaches Health and Human Services Organization of the Year and the Community Collaborator Award at the 8th Annual Nonprofits First Hats Off Awards. For more information, visit pbcfoodbank.org.