SALT LAKE CITY — Food insecurity isn’t just a matter of hunger pangs.

Going without proper nutrition can cause all kinds of illnesses and even exacerbate chronic ones.

On Friday, Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital unveiled a brand-new food pantry where children and their families can go after their doctor appointment to fill up on three days’ worth of emergency food supplies for each person in their household. Families will then be connected to food resources in their community.

“We’ve been talking about this for years and it’s finally here,” said Katy Welkie, CEO at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital and vice president of Intermountain Children’s Health. “Healthy kids start with healthy meals. Sadly, 1 out of every 9 children in Utah doesn’t have access to consistent healthy food and many of them come to our hospital on a regular basis.”

That translates to more than 1,000 patients cared for at the hospital’s 55 outpatient clinics every month who may be experiencing food insecurity and hunger, she said, adding that food insecurities can lead to worsening diabetes, higher hospitalizations, higher rates of anemia, higher probability of mental health illnesses and other problems.

“Hunger, housing, instability, traumatic childhood events — all of these social determinants of health impact the overall health of children and their entire families,” Welkie said. “Giving food to patient families who need it can make a world of difference in their health and well-being and influence their health for years into the future.”

The Primary Pantry is part of Intermountain Health’s Primary Promise to create the nation’s model health system for children.

“So this will have a significant impact on their overall health,” Welkie said. “We have food available for them right here. All they have to do is go downstairs to the pantry. We have fresh food, frozen foods, fresh fruits and vegetables and even diapers.”

The pantry, which opened in late January, is located at the Primary Children’s Hospital Eccles Outpatient Services Building at 81 Mario Capecchi Drive in Salt Lake City. The opening of the pantry was made possible by Smith’s Food & Drug, Dairy West, the Utah Food Bank and the Utah Diaper Bank.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports poor nutrition is the leading cause of illness in the country. Approximately 600,000 people nationwide die every year from diet-related diseases.

“With so many children going hungry in our community, it’s imperative that they and their families leave the hospital’s outpatient clinics with food to eat and a connection to resources to make sure they have access to healthy food in their communities,” said Carolyn Reynolds, executive clinical director of pediatric community-based care for Intermountain Health.

Rachel Hendrickson, a licensed clinical social worker and care manager at the Primary Children’s outpatient diabetes clinic, said it’s common for families to tell her they’re concerned about not having enough food for their families.

“Until now, I’ve given families a list of food resources they can follow up with once they get home,” she said.

While they are good resources, Hendrickson said, often families who need food are already strapped for time, energy or extra money for gas to access them.

“That’s why I’m so excited about the Primary Pantry,” she said. “Families needing this resource now can leave their clinic visit and immediately access food quickly, easily, privately and without additional stress.”

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