BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Many people in Central Oregon are finding it hard to get affordable, healthy food. A recent report from the 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment by St. Charles Health System highlights this growing concern.
According to the survey, 24% of respondents believe that better access to healthy food would greatly improve their lives. This is more than those who indicated the need for affordable housing (19%) or living-wage jobs (11%). What’s striking is that this figure rose from just 15% in the 2022 report.
In response, St. Charles is focusing on enhancing food access as part of their Community Benefit efforts over the next three years. They’re set to allocate thousands in grant funding to local organizations that aim to improve access to affordable, nutritious food. These efforts work alongside initiatives to create a sense of community and combat loneliness, a pressing issue St. Charles has prioritized since 2020.
Carlos Salcedo, manager of community partnerships at St. Charles, explains the connection between food and community. “Food and community often go hand in hand. Sharing meals can bring people together and help reduce feelings of isolation,” he states. “We’re thrilled to fund projects that focus on these vital areas.”
Additionally, St. Charles is implementing new programs to fight malnutrition. Starting in March, Kelly Ornberg, manager of clinical nutrition services, will launch the “Fuel” program. This initiative aims to assist patients diagnosed with malnutrition. Many of these patients struggle to afford healthy food after leaving the hospital.
“About 11% of malnourished patients are readmitted within 30 days. We want to change that,” says Ornberg. “With our new program, we’ll provide 30 days’ worth of free shelf-stable supplements to help them get essential nutrition at home.”
After discharge, St. Charles outpatient dietitians will follow up with these patients and connect them with local resources for ongoing support. With initial funding, they aim to assist around 500 patients across their four hospitals.
By addressing these issues, St. Charles hopes to tackle both food insecurity and loneliness in the community. This two-fold approach feels essential, especially given that 2023 studies show a significant rise in loneliness due to the pandemic’s lingering effects. The focus on food access and belonging could positively affect not just physical health but mental well-being as well.
