Government Shutdown Inspires Community Table at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center

Food insecurity is one of the biggest social drivers of health in essential hospital ZIP codes, where 16% of individuals live below the poverty line.

Association member Bergen New Bridge Medical Center is among the 93% of essential hospitals operating a food security program and providing services beyond medical care to address this public health challenge.

More than 40,000 residents in Bergen County, N.J. rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a federally funded program that provides food benefits to low-income families, seniors, and those who are disabled.

SNAP payments were temporarily halted on Oct. 1, during the longest federal government shutdown in history, leaving thousands uncertain about their next meal.

That's when Bergen New Bridge stepped in and created Our Community Table. The hospital opened its Bistro Café doors every Tuesday and Thursday, from 4-6 pm, to welcome community members for a meal at no cost.

"Addressing social determinants of health, including food insecurity, is a major part of our mission," explains Bergen New Bridge's President and CEO Deborah Visconi, MS.

The food offered is part of the hospital's cafeteria program.

When the federal government reopened and SNAP benefits restarted in November, the hospital decided to continue the community table.

"People are still struggling, and we did not want anyone to be without access to a good, nutritious meal especially during the holiday season," says Visconi. "We will always help our communities, doing whatever we can."

Learn more about how essential hospitals tackle food insecurity and other social determinants of health at EssentialCommunities.org, which features more than 100 hospital initiatives.