Liz Lombardi, MS, RD, LDN, clinical nutrition manager, Aramark/Blessing Health, was selected from among nominations across the country to be featured in the March 2024 issue of Today’s Dietician magazine, in an article entitled “10 RDs who are making a difference.”
Lombardi is featured for her work in leading the project to create a seasonal farmer’s market in the cafeteria at Blessing Hospital. Each market features local vendors and produce to make fresh, healthful food available to Blessing Health System employees. Her work in the area of food insecurity, both as a volunteer with the community farmer’s market and with patients and staff at Blessing Hospital, led to the idea of a hospital-based farmer’s market.
“Poor nutrition is a leading cause of illness in the United States,” Lombardi told the magazine. “It increases the risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, all of which impact higher healthcare costs. We want to look over that big picture and find ways to reduce our costs while promoting health and wellness.”
As part of the seasonal farmer’s market program, Blessing’s team of clinical dietitians creates recipes around featured foods and provides nutrition education as part of Aramark’s Healthy Life Program, a collaboration between Aramark and the American Heart Association.
Lombardi also feels the seasonal farmer’s market program at Blessing Hospital strengthens the bridge between the hospital and the communities it serves.