Building a Healthier Future: How UPMC Family Medicine Residency is Championing Food Security

The UPMC Williamsport Family Medicine Residency has launched an exciting initiative to boost food security in Lycoming County. They recently installed a drip irrigation system at the Salvation Army Community Garden on Park Avenue. This development will help the garden produce more fresh fruits and vegetables for families in need.

Leading this effort is Taylor Rider, a third-year resident at UPMC. With a grant from the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP), she’s spearheading this project, which aims to improve food access and overall community health.

Drip Irrigation System

The new irrigation system was set up thanks to collaboration among UPMC staff, including John Boll, a faculty member, and local volunteers. This upgrade will help the garden grow more produce while minimizing maintenance. It also means more educational opportunities for people looking to learn about gardening and nutrition.

Food insecurity is a growing issue, affecting about one in ten people in Central Pennsylvania, according to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. This challenge particularly impacts children and seniors. The Salvation Army Community Garden plays a critical role in addressing this need by providing healthy, locally grown produce.

Vital Roots Initiative

Rider’s vision extends beyond just the garden. The PAFP grant will also fund Vital Roots, a series of community teaching kitchens. These kitchens aim to use fresh produce from the garden along with items from local food banks to create delicious, plant-based meals. They are designed to educate participants about healthier eating choices while also providing nourishing meals.

The Vital Roots classes will take place at Family Promise of Lycoming County on select Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m.:

• Aug. 7
• Aug. 28
• Sept. 25
• Oct. 9
• Oct. 30

Residents of Lycoming County are welcome to join, but registration is required. You can secure a spot by calling 570-321-2345.

These cooking classes are part of the Lifestyle Medicine Residency Curriculum, now in its fifth year, led by Dr. Elizabeth Anderson and Dr. Adwoa Boahene, both certified in Lifestyle Medicine. The curriculum emphasizes six key health pillars: whole-food, plant-based eating, physical activity, sleep, stress management, substance use avoidance, and social connection.

Graduates who complete the program can also sit for the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine certification exam.

Dr. Anderson notes, “Food insecurity isn’t just about not having enough to eat; it leads to chronic diseases.” Rider’s proactive approach reflects the residency’s dedication to creating healthier communities by addressing these deeper issues.

Together, they are not just planting seeds in the garden but also in the community, cultivating healthier lifestyles and stronger connections. Their initiatives aim to transform challenges into opportunities—one harvest, one meal, and one relationship at a time.

For more insights on food security efforts, check out the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.

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