From Clinic to Kitchen: Nourishing Health at St. Anthony’s

March 16, 2026

March is National Nutrition Month when everyone is invited to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthy eating and activity habits.

But at St. Anthony’s, patients and guests may just be ahead of the curve on support for better nutrition.

From healthy options in the dining room to nutrition education at the medical clinic, guests are tapping into more options and better information about the food that powers their bodies.

Jaime Martinez’s patients keep coming back–and that’s a good thing. As Diabetes Lead at St. Anthony’s medical clinic, he creates a supportive space where patients learn to manage, rather than fear, a chronic condition.

Diabetes can be difficult to understand. Over time, high blood glucose harms the body and can lead to serious complications if not treated. Jaime says that it’s important to break down confusing information into manageable parts that patients can easily digest as they learn to better manage the disease. And understanding the role of nutrition is key to controlling it with confidence instead of fear.  

Once a clinic doctor refers a patient to Jaime, he spends up to an hour during a 1-to-1 private visit. Whether pre-diabetes or diabetic, he says it helps to have a two-way conversation.

“We talk about daily eating habits and how to make better choices. I never tell people what to do; I just point out options so patients can make their own decisions. Then we set their goals together—diet, exercise, medication management—and we meet regularly after that.”

Jaime says it’s all about helping individuals navigate the journey to better health, and over time, the outlook—and the outcomes—can improve.

At St. Anthony’s dining room, Executive Chef Annria Rossouw is well aware of the need for balanced meals. “Food is medicine,” she says, so her menus include delicious food that supports the body. “For many guests, this is their only meal of the day, so I want them to enjoy food that’s tasty and good for them.”

She plans her menus from what’s on hand—and then gets creative. Sauces, marinades—even her Green Goddess salad dressing are made from scratch with fresh ingredients and savory spices. The veggies are plentiful thanks to donations from the Marin Food Bank, and there’s even fresh bread baked seven days a week.

The dining room hosts hundreds of guests for breakfast, lunch and snacks daily, with a range of choices served with dignity and respect. “This is their place to relax, to feel welcomed and to feel loved—that’s healthy community,” says Annria.

Managing diabetes through nutrition involves balancing carbohydrate intake, eating nutrient-dense foods and controlling portions to maintain stable blood glucose levels. For many patients, it’s a lot to think about and too much to think about alone.

The Diabetes Support Group at St. Anthony’s meets once a month to address that isolation, offering a place where patients find camaraderie and answers, alleviating the anxiety and depression common to many receiving the diagnosis.

The Diabetes Walking Group offers another option. Each week, Jaime and his team lead a cheerful group on an hour-long walk to get the body moving and enjoy a little outdoor activity. It’s all ages, all backgrounds, multiple languages and fun as 10-12 walkers venture to local parks and farmers markets to see the sites and get in a good stretch. Staff check blood glucose levels before and after the walk, celebrating lower numbers with smiles and high-fives.

“It’s not easy, managing this disease,” says Joan Perez, known affectionately as Brother J.P. “But no one walks alone here.” A student of nutrition and a recent addition to the diabetes support team at St. Anthony’s, he knows what they’re up against. Unstable housing, the health impacts of addiction, the limited means and limited time patients struggle with.

“How can you tell people to make better food choices if they’re living in a shelter?” he asks. “That’s why it’s so important to look at this issue holistically. In the Franciscan tradition, we focus on the whole person—physically, spiritually and mentally.”

Brother J.P. pauses a moment to reflect. “At St. Anthony’s, we’re here to support the body and the soul. Sharing food, sharing stories, walking this path together–it’s a lifelong journey.”

Caring for the body helps the spirit thrive. And at St. Anthony’s, that care goes beyond a single meal or clinic visit. It lives in conversations, the shared walks, the practical tools and encouragement that help guests take one step at a time toward better health. During National Nutrition Month—and every month—the message is simple but powerful: when people have the nourishment, knowledge and support they need, hope and healing flourish.

Providing nourishment and health services would not be possible without the kind generosity of our donors. Help us continue to thrive with your donation today. Donate at stanthony.org/give.