Farm to Fork program to help low-income residents eat healthier

Riverside has started a program that will allow 50 low-income residents in the Eastside neighborhood with chronic health conditions to eat healthy meals.

Farm to Fork is a partnership between Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes and Molina Healthcare of California, which is donating $10,000 to secure seeds for five to ten pounds of produce that will be harvested every week, according to a statement on the city’s website.

Every month, a chef from Tre’Dish – a home chef business in Riverside – will hold a cooking demonstration with the group. Using fresh produce, the chefs will teach families about nutrition and how to prepare meals on a fixed income.

“The health of our communities extends beyond routine doctor visits,” said Abbie Totten, plan president of Molina Healthcare of California, in the statement. “It starts around the family dinner table.”

Additional Farm to Fork sponsors and community partners include the city of Riverside, the Riverside Community Health Foundation, World Be Well and Oscar Fajardo, a local chef, according to the statement.