Friends from Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida presented us with our official certificate marking this new milestone in our longstanding partnership.
Grace Medical Home is proud to announce that it has become the first healthcare partner to join Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida’s Nutritious Pantry Network — a milestone that reflects a shared commitment to improving health and fighting hunger in Central Florida.
Through this new certification, Grace Medical Home has met rigorous standards designed to enhance access to nutritious food and provide additional resources to patients who may be struggling with food insecurity. The designation also marks an important expansion of Grace’s holistic model of care — treating not just medical conditions, but the social and environmental factors that impact health.
“This certification is about more than food — it’s about health and dignity,” said Stephanie Garris, CEO of Grace Medical Home. “By partnering with Second Harvest, we’re ensuring that our patients have access to the nutritious foods they need to support their overall wellness. It’s another way Grace cares for the whole person.”
Grace’s pantry, located within its medical home in downtown Orlando, provides patients with healthy food options and connects them to resources that promote long-term wellness. Becoming part of Second Harvest’s Nutritious Pantry Network means Grace has implemented best practices for food safety, nutrition education, and equitable access.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Grace Medical Home as the first healthcare organization in our Nutritious Pantry Network,” said Derrick Chubbs, President & CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. “Grace has been a long-time partner in addressing food insecurity, and this certification represents the next step in our shared mission to create a healthier, hunger-free Central Florida.”
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida currently distributes enough food to provide 300,000 meals a day across a seven-county region — Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Volusia, and Marion counties. With Grace’s addition, the Nutritious Pantry Network now includes 16 certified sites, all working toward the goal of providing healthier food options and strengthening communities.
At Grace Medical Home, addressing hunger is just one piece of its mission to offer whole-person care — care that meets physical, emotional, and social needs alike.
“When a patient leaves Grace with both their prescriptions and a bag of healthy groceries, that’s whole-person care in action,” added Stephanie. “We’re deeply grateful to Second Harvest for walking alongside us in this work.”
