By being intentional with what we eat, we can harness the healing power of food to improve health outcomes.
A good diet plays a crucial role in maintaining a balanced immune system, reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers, and supporting optimal bodily functions. Using food as medicine has the potential to prevent, manage, and even treat various health conditions. The food we consume not only serves as a source of energy, but also contains nutrients that can positively impact our bodies and promote healing. The pilot program of FreshRx was launched in April of 2021, has tripled in size, and since gained national recognition for the innovative way we systemically address food and health.įood as medicine is the use of nutritious and wholesome foods to support and enhance our overall health and well-being. Erin-a gerontologist whose background is in how nutritious foods affect lifespan and chronic diseases-knew that lobbying for local, organic produce would not only increase the nutritious content of the food improving health outcomes, but also support the economy of North Tulsa.
FreshRx founder Erin Martin was asked to join the committee and influenced the group to source local, regeneratively grown produce for the patients in the trial. Farish, with the help of the Council, put together a subcommittee of potential community and funding partners to test this concept in North Tulsa. He concluded that this lack of access to education and fresh produce was a significant factor in his patient’s ability to manage their own disease.ĭr. Farish presented research from the Geisinger Fresh Food Farmacy, a study that demonstrated how diabetics could reduce their A1c levels by 1-2% in a year or less through a combination of education and consumption of healthier foods. Kent Farish of Crossover Health Services shared that his diabetic patients-compliant with prescriptions and doc visits-were continuing to get worse! Dr. In a presentation to the Tulsa Food Security Council in 2021, Dr. Many economic and community factors, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, have led to food shortages and highlighted the vulnerabilities within our overtaxed healthcare system. During its first year, the program is estimated to have saved the state of Oklahoma $750,000 in healthcare costs.While Tulsa has made tremendous progress in many areas, we continued to struggle with equality indicators that lead to urban resilience.
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Interesting fact about how it is working to positively affect health: FreshRx Oklahoma has helped diabetes patients learn how to prepare and eat healthy meals, lose weight, and reduce A1C levels while also supporting local farmers. John Foundation, MorningCrest Healthcare Foundation, and Zarrow Commemoration Fund Major Funding: USDA GusNIP Produce Prescription Grant, Ascension St. Mission: To provide access to nutrient-dense, locally-grown produce that helps participants manage their diabetes. Participants pick up their produce boxes every other Wednesday between 9am and 11am at a pop-up farmers market.Įvery three months, they meet with their provider to measure and track progress in their A1C levels, weight, and blood pressure.Īfter completing the 12-month program, those who demonstrated compliance and success have the option of re-enrolling. Their goal is to reach 150 participants in 2023. They accepted 50 participants in 2021 and 100 in 2022. Patients must submit an application to be accepted into the program. Participants may be referred to the program by their physician, but self-referrals are also accepted. How they do it: FreshRx partners with six health clinics in Tulsa and 12 local farmers to provide fresh produce to diabetic patients in the North Tulsa food desert. Recipes are provided along with the produce boxes to give participants ideas about how to use the ingredients.
Participants are also given tablets loaded with cooking classes and nutrition education videos that do not require a Wi-Fi connection to access.
The program serves predominantly Black and Native American residents.
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What they do: FreshRx Oklahoma provides low-income type 2 diabetes patients who have especially high A1C levels with free boxes of produce every two weeks for a year.
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