Eighteen months after learning he had Stage 4 prostate cancer, Anthony Carroccio, executive director of Organic Soup Kitchen, is cancer free and ready to double the number of people the organization serves.
Through an industry-leading partnership with CenCal Health, Organic Soup Kitchen will be the first Santa Barbara County-based agency to provide Medically Tailored Meals to CenCal’s health plan members.
“When the tables turned and I became the patient, I suddenly understood what our clients experience and the real struggle to find hope and get through a day,” Carroccio said.
“I owe my life to my surgeon, oncologist and the incredible care I received at Ridley-Tree Cancer Center,” he said. “I will forever be grateful.”
Carroccio said the experience has solidified his commitment to providing life-saving nutrition to those in need.
Since 2009, Organic Soup Kitchen, with Carroccio at the helm, has been at the forefront of the food-is-medicine movement.
The organization has served more than three million bowls of nutrient-dense soups to individuals recovering from cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses.
More than 40% of individuals with a medical diagnosis experience malnutrition, the Organic Soup Kitchen reports.
“As our country faces an epidemic of diet related illnesses, this science-backed approach to eating for recovery is now in the nation’s spotlight,” the Organic Soup Kitchen said.
“The Department of Health Care Services has launched a transformative initiative to provide Medi-Cal recipients with access to Medically Tailored Meals,” according to the Organic Soup Kitchen. “Years of research data proves that nutrition intervention not only addresses poor health outcomes associated with food insecurity, it supports recovery, shortens hospital visits and reduces long term health care costs.”
“I was waiting for my final radiation treatment at Ridley Tree when the email came through that the contract with CenCal was approved,” said Carroccio.
“All I could think about was the additional people we would be able to serve. It’s very exciting to be part of our healthcare system embracing Food as Medicine and making it accessible to everyone,” he said.
In collaboration with CenCal Health, Organic Soup Kitchen will make and deliver Medically Tailored Meals starting this fall.
CenCal Health has donated $100,000 toward a $500,000 capital campaign needed to fund operational expansion, including a new location.
Community members interested in supporting the program can learn more HERE.
Organic Soup Kitchen is one of only 1% of nonprofits in the US to achieve platinum status on Guidestar and a proud member of One Percent for the Planet.