Herman Dallas is on cloud nine when shopping at a neighborhood food pharmacy.
It is a collaborative effort by Tampa Well, Tampa General Hospital, and Feeding Tampa Bay to ensure that persons with critical medical conditions have free access to fresh and nutritious food.
“It was a chaos. I didn’t eat many greens or veggies, and I ate a lot of junk food that I shouldn’t have,” Dallas added.
Dallas’ health problems then reached crisis proportions.
“I had the event where I lost my kidneys, and it was a life-changing event, of course, for me,” Dallas said.
Jenise Carr manages the food pharmacy. She had previously worked as an organic farmer for over a decade. “Fresh fruits and vegetables are appealing to our bodies because they contain electricity. Carr noted that it is rich in vitamins and minerals, as well as other nutrients that your body requires.
“Since changing my diet following the transplant and entering this program a year ago, I’ve felt a lot more energized. Dallas stated, “I’ve noticed a difference in the texture of my skin.”
Dallas now has his garden at home, and he has always had a green thumb.
“These hands are green.” Everything I plant simply takes off. I didn’t realize it. “I talk to them,” Dallas stated.
He went on to say, “It’s hard to put into words how much of a difference it’s made in my life and my family’s.”
The food pharmacy has good aims. Carr grows certain products in the gardens directly outside the pharmacy. Feeding Tampa Bay also provides her with more supplies.