Feb 20, 2025
Enhanced Facility Increases Access to Food for Families in Need
February 20, 2025 (ROCHESTER, NY) – Trillium Health is proud to announce the official opening of its newly renovated food pantry, which was redesigned to better serve the needs of Monroe County residents facing food insecurity. The food pantry, located at 259 Monroe Avenue, is now open to the public and includes a learning kitchen in which city residents with certain health conditions can learn how to cook nutritious food. This expansion was made possible by $6 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds secured by federal officials and distributed by Monroe County and the City of Rochester.
Trillium Health’s food pantry offers a wide range of healthy food options, including fresh produce, dairy, proteins, and pantry staples. It operates under a “grocery store” model, in which individuals can select the food items that best suit their needs. The food pantry is open to anyone in need of food once a month.
In addition, Trillium Health has opened a new learning kitchen to complement its Food Pharmacy program. Under this innovative farm-to-table program, patients with diabetes, high cholesterol or hypertension are “prescribed” fresh food and are taught how to prepare meals to help improve their health outcomes. Trillium Health operates the program in partnership with Headwater Food Hub and EquiCenter.
“Trillium Health is thrilled to officially open the new food pantry and learning kitchen, which is meeting a significant need in our community and improving access to care,” said Jason Barnecut-Kearns, President and CEO of Trillium Health. “Our goal to ensure that everyone who walks through our doors is connected to the resources they need to thrive – whether it’s food, healthcare, medicine, or other supportive services. We are extremely grateful to everyone who helped us to secure this funding – including Congressman Joe Morelle, Senator Chuck Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, County Executive Adam Bello, and Mayor Malik Evans.”
“I’m proud to have secured nearly $6 million in federal funding to upgrade Trillium’s food pantry and food pharmacy pilot program, expanding access to high-quality, holistic healthcare,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “These improvements reflect Trillium’s dedication to helping families thrive, and I’m grateful to Trillium President and CEO Jason Barnecut-Kearns, County Executive Bello, and Mayor Evans for their leadership and partnership on this project. I look forward to continuing our work together to expand healthcare access and uplift our community.”
U.S Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said, “No one should have to choose between paying their bills and putting food on the table. While I push against attempts to cut funding to our family farmers and foodbanks which provide quality foods to kids and families, I commend Monroe County and the City of Rochester for investing their federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to help Trillium expand their food pantry and learning kitchen. It is not only tackling hunger head-on and boosting the bottom line of our family farmers, but also equipping residents—especially those managing diabetes, high cholesterol, or hypertension, which disproportionately impact low-income communities—with the skills to prepare nutritious meals that support better health.”
“It is critical that New Yorkers be able to access healthy, nutritious food. Trillium Health’s Food Pharmacy program is a recognition of the importance of addressing food insecurity as another component of one’s health and well-being. The new learning kitchen will also equip those Trillium Health serves with the tools to manage their conditions. I commend Trillium Health for its innovative approach to supporting its patients and the community at large, and I thank Monroe County and the City of Rochester for supporting this initiative. I’m proud to have secured this funding through the American Rescue Plan Act, and I will keep fighting to ensure all New Yorkers have the support they need to lead healthy lives.” – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
“Food insecurity is a serious issue in Monroe County, which is why my administration invested $4.9 million in ARPA funds to support Trillium Health’s vital renovations,” said County Executive Bello. “These upgrades will expand access to nutritious food at no cost while empowering families to make healthier choices. With the addition of the Food Pharmacy Program, Trillium Health is taking a holistic approach to community wellness. Thank you to my colleagues in the County Legislature and to Congressman Morelle and Senators Gillibrand and Schumer for securing these transformative funds.”
“When Trillium approached me about a food pharmacy program, I loved the idea,” said Mayor Malik D. Evans. “Good health is about so much more than medicine and doctors. And the number of people who are food insecure in this community is a health crisis by itself. Improving access to nutritious food and helping people learn how to prepare the food they need for good health is a win for all of us. We welcome Trillium Health’s Food Bank and Learning Kitchen with open arms.”
Trillium Health has already seen a significant increase in the number of households that have been served by its food pantry. In 2024, the food pantry served 3,113 households, which was double from the previous year. Additionally, Trillium Health distributed 1,788 boxes of fresh produce to city residents, and the Food Pharmacy program is currently in its third cohort, with dozens of city residents served. The pilot program will continue into 2026.
ARPA funds also allowed Trillium Health to open two smaller food pantries at its satellite locations – located at 470 West Main Street and 170 Science Parkway. In addition, Trillium Health hired Medical Case Managers, who assist clients with accessing healthcare and supportive services at various locations, complementing Trillium Health’s holistic approach to healthcare.
Food Pantry Appointments and Hours of Operation:
Appointments are highly encouraged. To schedule an appointment, please call (585) 545-7220.
259 Monroe Avenue
- Mondays: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
- Wednesdays: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
- Thursdays: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
- Fridays: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
170 Science Parkway
- Mondays: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
- Tuesdays: 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
- Thursdays: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
470 West Main Street
- Mondays - Thursdays: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
For more information, please visit trilliumhealth.org/food.
About Trillium Health:
Trillium Health is a Federally Qualified Health Center dedicated to providing compassionate care to individuals regardless of their ability to pay. With its holistic approach to healthcare, Trillium Health has a team of dedicated professionals – including physicians, nurses, care managers, and pharmacists – who work together to ensure that each patient receives the comprehensive and compassionate care they deserve. For more information, please visit trilliumhealth.org.