Food Access

Whether you’re looking for nutritional support as part of your wellness journey or meal support during the summer for your family, MultiCare has partnered with many community organizations to ensure your family’s stomachs are full and bodies are fueled.

• Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition services: As a special supplemental program, MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma works with WIC sites across Pierce County to provide nutritious food, breastfeeding support, and tips to keep you and your family healthy. Free of charge to eligible families. Learn more about Mary Bridge Children’s WIC nutrition services.
• Summer meals program: Every summer, millions of children face food insecurity or lack of access to adequate food when they’re released from school. We’ve partnered with the USDA Summer Food Service program to provide free meals. Check back on Mary Bridge Children’s Pediatric Wellness page in mid-June for the latest information.
• SNAP Match programs: To make fruits and vegetables easier to buy, this Washington State Department of Health program increases your food benefit and spending power when shopping at farmers markets and grocery stores.
• Washington Connection: A fast and easy way for families and individuals to apply for a variety of services, including SNAP food benefits, and get connected to other government food assistance programs. Resources also available by phone in English, Spanish, Russian or Chinese at 1-877-501-2233.
• Washington 2-1-1: Get connected to local food banks and meal programs online or by calling 211. Available in English and Spanish.
• WithinReach: Get help finding food banks, meal programs and other food assistance programs online. You can also call 1-800-322-2588. Available in English and Spanish.

Washington’s Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) Project works to improve the nutrition status of low-income households participating in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — formerly known as food stamps.

SNAP Match programs increase your food benefit when shopping at farmers markets and grocery stores so you can purchase more fruits and vegetables. These programs are a collaborative effort led by the Washington State Department of Health.

Why SNAP Match programs?

Market and Produce Match support access to healthy foods by promoting healthy choices and reducing food insecurity. These programs also:

• Give SNAP shoppers a bonus for using their benefits
• Promote shopping at farmers markets and participating grocery stores
• Reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease, by encouraging fruit and vegetable consumption
• Decrease health care costs, increase productivity and give youth a healthy start
• Support farmers: Market Match can only be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, with dollars going directly to local farmers