NUTRITION SERVICES
The face of hunger in Nassau County includes working families, children, and the elderly – our neighbors. It is estimated that 1 of 6 adults and 1 of 4 children in our community is hungry or facing food-insecurity, which is simply not knowing when or how they will get their next meal. The largest growing population experiencing hunger or food insecurity is working families, “ordinary” people who work hard and live on an income that can’t stretch from paycheck to paycheck.
HOW WE CAN HELP
WHAT ARE OUR NUTRITION SERVICES?
We provide a three-day supply of food to those in need at our Main office. Food choices include a nutritional balance of protein vegetables, fruit and carbohydrates; all items are low in sugar, sodium, and fat.
Nassau County residents can drive-by two times per month.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Food Pantry
1303 Jasmine St Suite 101, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday – Friday 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
NUTRITION SERVICES
FOOD PANTRY
We help Nassau County individuals and families who are hungry and do not know where they’ll get their next meal. For the health and safety of our staff, volunteers and clients, our food pantry is a drive-through service ONLY.
We hope to revert back to our “Client Choice Model” once it is safe to do so. Through this initiative, our food pantry is set up like a small grocery store, with products arranged on shelves and in coolers/freezers. This allows people seeking food assistance to choose what products are needed and desired by their family. Our volunteers walk through the “store” with each individual, assisting with the selection of food and helping to get the groceries to their automobiles.
This “Client Choice Model”:
- Upholds the dignity of clients
- Meets food-related health needs.
- Limits waste because families take what food they will use.
MOBILE FOOD DISTRIBUTION
Barnabas sponsors three distributions throughout Nassau County.
Click HERE for upcoming dates and locations.
MEAL PACK PROGRAM
In partnership with the Nassau County School’s Families in Transition Program (FIT), meals are packed and delivered to the Full Services School for distribution to young children enrolled in FIT to take home over the weekend.
Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support
Barnabas Center is Accredited by ADCES to Provide Quality Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support
Fernandina Beach, FL — Barnabas Center has achieved the significant milestone of accreditation by the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES). Accreditation represents a high level of quality and service to the community, and the ability to better meet the needs of Medicare recipients and others affected by diabetes in Nassau County, FL.
The Diabetes Self-Management and Education (DSME) program at Barnabas Center was started to meet the needs of patients with diabetes within their healthcare clinics. The new program is patient-centered and individualized. Participants receive both group and 1-on-1 education to ensure they have the tools and knowledge they need to manage their diabetes. Educational areas include healthy lifestyle habits, exercise, food choices, healthy coping, and setting appropriate, attainable goals regarding wellness and diabetes.
Barnabas Center Nutrition Services Manager, Casey Hemphill, RD, LDN said, “My favorite part of our DSME program is that the educators working with the participants are the providers they see when they come in for medical appointments- it is a truly unique and well-rounded experience for our patients, and I feel so blessed to be a part of building this program for them!”
Barnabas Center, located at 1303 Jasmine Street, Suite 101, Fernandina Beach, FL, will be offering diabetes education sessions to Barnabas Center medical patients who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at both the Fernandina Beach and Callahan offices. If you are a Barnabas Center patient and interested in more information, call their office to find out if you qualify for services and DSME participation. At this time, the DSME program is only available to current Barnabas Center medical patients, but they do have plans to offer some community diabetes classes soon.
Diabetes education services utilize a collaborative process through which people with or at risk for diabetes work with a diabetes educator to receive individualized care to help them reach their health goals. Diabetes education is a covered Medicare benefit when delivered through an accredited program.
“Evidence shows diabetes education and support is helping people with diabetes to lower their A1c’s and obtain the knowledge and skills to better self-manage their condition,” said Sacha Uelmen, Director of Accreditation at ADCES. “That is why we need programs like Barnabas Center to make these services available in their community.”
ADCES is a National Accredited Organization (NAO) for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Accredited programs must meet the 2022 National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support; 6 standards that are revised every 5 years by a group of diabetes educators representing both ADCES and the American Diabetes Association and approved by CMS. Programs must maintain compliance with the standards during the 4-year accreditation cycle.