Iron Chef and James Beard Award-winner Jose Garces has launched a new series of short videos highlighting the nutritional benefits and preparation possibilities of four “superfoods.” Coproduced by Virtua Health, the largest health system in southern New Jersey, the bite-size culinary clips can be found on Chef Garces’ social media channels, including YouTube and Instagram, beginning October 23.

“Many people want to eat healthy foods but need some guidance on what to select and how to prepare them,” said Garces. “Through these videos, we are serving up easy recipes that bring out the flavors of some of my favorite ingredients, like avocados and sweet potatoes.”

Joining Garces in each video is Dariush Mozaffarian, M.D., Dr.P.H., director of the Food is Medicine Institute at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. Dr. Mozaffarian describes the nutritional qualities of each profiled food.

Both Garces and Mozaffarian are members of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition. The federal advisory committee aims to promote healthy eating and physical activity for all people, regardless of background or ability.

Beyond the council, Garces has a demonstrated commitment to education and opportunity. He co-founded the Garces Foundation in 2011, which offers programs that support immigrant communities in Greater Philadelphia. Highlights include workforce training, health fairs, and English classes tailored to restaurant employees.

Like the Garces Foundation, Virtua Health is a leader in helping people embrace health and wellness. The not-for-profit health system is widely known for community-based outreach programs designed to reduce health disparities. One notable example is the Virtua Eat Well Mobile Grocery Store, which Garces visited to obtain the ingredients for his superfood videos.

Launched in 2020, the 40-foot Mobile Grocery Store offers fresh produce, proteins, canned goods, household items, and other staples at prices far less than traditional supermarkets. Backed by an array of philanthropic supporters, this store-on-wheels makes weekly stops in Camden and Burlington counties, visiting neighborhoods that lack affordable, convenient options (sometimes referred to as “food deserts”).

“I’ve learned that Virtua Health is so much more than hospitals and doctors’ offices,” Garces said. “Virtua works to address the root cause of health conditions, and that can often be food access and exposure to nutrition education. Working together on these videos allows us to get the word out that when we eat better, we feel better.”

“I’ve had the good fortune to get to know Chef Garces and see first-hand how dedicated he is to advancing communities of wellness,” said Virtua President and CEO Dennis Pullin, FACHE, who interviewed the chef on his podcast, “Here for Good,” last year. “When an opportunity arises to help others, you can count on Jose to do his part.”

Virtua Health will present Chef Garces with the Distinguished Service Award at its annual fundraiser gala on November 2 in Atlantic City, N.J.