Food As Medicine: Your Farms Your Table Steps Into The HopeWay Kitchen

January 07, 2025

Chef Sam Diminich's Partnership With HopeWay

Food is medicine, and starting Feb. 1, Chef Sam Diminich and Your Farms Your Table Restaurant Group will bring that to fruition at HopeWay, a leading nonprofit mental health treatment organization in Charlotte. This groundbreaking collaboration will serve up seasonal, chef-driven, nutritious meals to HopeWay’s clients, guests and staff.

“Food is integral to how we heal and connect, and it has quickly become apparent that the need for quality food in mental health facilities is high

The Your Farms Your Table (YFYT) team will manage HopeWay’s 9,000-square-foot, in-house kitchen, providing breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks at the center’s 20-acre campus. Serving more than 100 meals daily, YFYT will emphasize fresh, local ingredients from its farm partners and fresh herbs grown on-site for menus designed to support clients’ diverse dietary and therapeutic needs.

Nourishing Meals to Support a Healthy Mind

“Food is integral to how we heal and connect, and it has quickly become apparent that the need for quality food in mental health facilities is high,” says Diminich, who made the connection to the healing powers of food through his own journey to sobriety. “In addition to nourishment, we hope our food provides a sense of comfort to HopeWay’s clients. We believe that food helps heal, and are honored to help carry that mission forward.”

Nutritional Wellness at HopeWay

HopeWay is energized by the inclusion of Diminich’s team, as the organization’s holistic, evidence-based model integrates nutrition into treatment. Clients spend time in the Learning Kitchen as part of HopeWay’s integrative therapy, building skills and confidence through hands-on meal preparation, group therapy and meeting with dietitians. 

Knowing that the food served on site aligns with what is taught in therapy is essential for recovery, reinforcing a consistent approach to healing through nutrition.

“Since opening in 2016, HopeWay has made nutrition in healing a priority. With some psychiatric medications affecting appetite or weight, the importance of balanced, nutritious meals with options for those with food sensitivities or allergies is vital in supporting recovery and overall well-being,” says Alyson Kuroski-Mazzei, DO, DFAPA, FASAM, CEO and Chief Medical Officer at HopeWay. “We are thrilled that Your Farms Your Table is committed to collaborating with our medical team, dietitians and therapists to ensure we deliver nourishment tailored to individual needs, allowing our clients to carry these skills and experiences into their lives beyond treatment.”

Your Farms Your Table Within the Charlotte Community

Since 2022, the YFYT team has prepared more than 36,000 meals for those receiving inpatient recovery and psychiatric services at facilities in Charlotte. The collaboration with HopeWay is part of the restaurant group's strategic growth. For the first time, around six YFYT staffers will be embedded in an on-site kitchen, enabling Diminich’s team to employ dedicated chefs to craft meals and ensure each dish is created with care and intention.

"We believe that food helps heal, and are honored to help carry that mission forward.

“When nourished with good food, it transforms everything about us,” says Jill Vande Woude, CEO and partner of Your Farms Your Table. “We find gratification in the fact that a colorful, vibrant, farm-fresh meal can spark a moment of joy, connection and reprieve. We are honored to serve HopeWay’s clients during such a critical time in their healing journey, offering comfort through the power of food.”

This collaboration has been featured in: 

Axios

CLT Today

Queen City Nerve 

WBTV QC Life 

WFAE Charlotte Talks