Improving health outcomes in our region is taking place at the kitchen table. Eating a balanced and nutritious diet is the first step in living a healthy lifestyle and reduces the burden and cost on the health care system.
FoodRx, a Food as Medicine (FAM) initiative, brings together partners with local healthcare providers and DoorDash to deliver nutritious groceries to patients’ homes. The Regional Food Bank is ensuring that the New Yorkers we serve are getting the nutritious food they need to live healthier lives.
This program is designed for individuals who are dealing with chronic conditions or are at risk for diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. Each delivery includes fresh produce, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy pantry staples. Each grocery bag is designed to feed the entire household and includes nutritional education materials and information on additional food resources. By reducing barriers to healthy food access, FoodRx empowers patients to take control of their health and has the potential to become a scalable model for improving health outcomes and lowering healthcare costs across our region.
The program’s first cohort, funded by Rubin Health and in collaboration with Albany Medical Center, is tracking key health metrics such as A1c levels, blood pressure, and health behavior changes to evaluate outcomes. By supplying these healthy and nutritious meals we are witnessing clear results and improving health outcomes.
Our Food as Medicine participants have seen a 1.5% reduction in A1c and average 9lb weight loss, while increasing healthy food consumption. In 2024, we served more than 2,850 patients. We doubled our partners within the FAM program last year, which means we are able to identify and support more of our neighbors in need. In the past year we have served more than 100,000 meals while delivering 30,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Our goal is to expand this program, continuing to closely monitor and adapt to drive even greater results. By supporting the delivery of healthy and nutritious food, we feed people today, we improve their health, improve their quality of life, and increase the likelihood that they will live longer. And we couldn’t do this without the support of our partners, donors, and volunteers.