Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Announces Expansion of Healthy Weight Food Pharmacy

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) announced today the expansion of its Healthy Weight Food Pharmacy (HWFP), which addresses food insecurity in the West Philadelphia community. With the help of a $100,000 donation from The GIANT Company, CHOP will expand its existing Healthy Weight Food Pharmacy on its University City campus, as well as build a new Food Pharmacy program at its Nicholas and Athena Karabots Primary Care Center in West Philadelphia. This is The GIANT Company’s second gift in support of CHOP’s Healthy Weight Food Pharmacy program.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented health and economic challenges for our vulnerable populations, right in our backyard,” said Saba Khan, M.D., Director of CHOP’s Healthy Weight Food Pharmacy. “Thanks to our partners at The GIANT Company, we will be able to continue our mission to support families in the West Philadelphia community in a responsive, respectful and effective way.”

One in five people in Philadelphia experiences food insecurity, which means they do not have consistent access to enough food to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the issue of childhood food insecurity, putting the overall health and development of children at risk.

The GIANT Company’s donation will allow CHOP’s HWFP to increase food access for families from once every three months to once a month, inclusive of both fresh and dry goods. In addition, families will receive educational resources on healthy foods, recipes and age-appropriate programming for children.

“As we continue to bring our new brand platform, For Today’s Table, to life, there is no better partner than CHOP to help us do so in Philadelphia,” said Nicholas Bertram, President, The GIANT Company. “Like CHOP, The GIANT Company wants to take food insecurity off the table, as well as help all families share a healthy meal and the many benefits of doing so. The expansion of this innovative program is an important step in achieving our goal and one we are proud to be able to support.”

The new Food Pharmacy program at the Karabots Center will also address food insecurity by providing immediate, on-site access to healthy food and enrolling families in a food delivery or food pickup program. Additionally, the Food Pharmacy will connect families to existing CHOP and community resources to address identified social needs, while ensuring each family gets individual support from a CHOP Community Health Worker.

Since its inception in fall 2018, CHOP’s HWFP has provided food for more than 1,400 patients and their families. The program was made possible in part by a generous donation from The GIANT Company, whose 25-plus years of philanthropic support has helped fund numerous CHOP programs that further community health.