A nurse-led intervention to address food insecurity in Chicago

Abstract

Food insecurity is a social issue that is becoming more common across the nation. Individuals identified as food insecure may not have enough food in quantity and/or quality, and they may likely have limited access to obtain the food they need. Food insecurity is one social determinant of health, or a social condition that impacts a person's good health. This article offers a brief overview of food insecurity and describes The Rush Surplus Project, developed in 2015 by concerned nurses within the Rush healthcare system to address the issue of food insecurity in surrounding communities on the west side of Chicago, Illinois. This project decreases hospital food waste by donating food to local shelters for redistribution to individuals in need. The authors offer implications for nursing and health systems concerned with food insecurity and conclude with a summary detailing next steps in progress at Rush University Medical Center.