Ensure that hospitals invest in your local food system!

      Posted On: July 5, 2013

Did you know that it may be possible for your farmers market to partner with and receive funding from non-profit hospitals in your area? Charitable hospitals are required to spend a portion of their revenues to assist in the improvement of community health, in whatever manner they see fit.

Now, as part of the Affordable Care Act of 2010, the IRS will require that these hospitals complete a Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNA) in order to help identify effective methods for community health improvement. However, the CHNA does not currently require that hospitals explore the community’s food resources in the assessment.

FMC, and other local-food and community health organizations want to be sure that the supply of and access to healthy, affordable, and nutritious foods is included as a key element of the Community Health Needs Assessment process. Including food access in the assessment process will encourage more hospitals to take on local food projects within their communities.

Don’t miss this opportunity to shape CHNA requirements! The IRS is collecting comments on the proposed regulations, giving you and your market the opportunity to voice your opinion.  Submit comments to the IRS by TODAY, July 5th. It’s easy! Comments can be submitted at regulations.gov. and here’s a template for you to use. You can attach the comment as a separate document, or simply cut and paste it into the comment box.