At CommonSpirit Health, a commitment to healing body, mind, and spirit drives us to find innovative ways to care for those we serve, especially the vulnerable. We're proud to share exciting findings about our Fresh to Flourish produce prescription program, which highlights how connecting our neighbors with healthy food is not just improving health, but also making a difference for our healthcare teams.
Fresh Food, Healthy Lives, and Heartfelt Care
Food insecurity is a real challenge for many families. It can be caused by things like trouble with transportation, financial difficulties, or mental health struggles. These barriers often lead to unhealthy eating habits, which can make chronic health conditions worse.
We're excited to share insights from a study published in the Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, which looked at the impact of Fresh to Flourish beyond just health numbers. This research explored:
- How Fresh to Flourish strengthens the relationships between our providers and the people they care for.
- The sense of fulfillment our healthcare teams experience when they refer patients to the program.
The results are truly encouraging, showing that Fresh to Flourish is not only helping our patients thrive but also enriching the experience of providing care for our teams.
Hope, Dignity, and a Path to Health
For our healthcare teams, Fresh to Flourish offers a practical way to address food insecurity directly within our clinics. Knowing they can help ease a major stressor for their patients, while also improving their health, brings a sense of greater job satisfaction.
When our providers discuss food access and prescribe produce, it demonstrates a commitment to holistic care. It tells patients that we see them as whole people, not just their symptoms. This comprehensive approach can build trust, strengthen relationships, and support patients to actively participate in their own care plans.
From Durango to Pueblo, Colorado, Fresh to Flourish has touched hundreds of lives. Since July 2023, the program has generated over $330,000 in economic impact through vouchers and served more than 500 patients in these communities. While we look forward to comprehensive health outcome data later this year, the initial feedback from our patients speaks volumes about the program:
- "I really appreciate these, they really help."
- One patient shared how receiving these vouchers led to their A1C dropping back to prediabetic levels, and their child achieving a healthy weight. "While I know there are a lot of other factors that contributed to those accomplishments, I know the ability to afford fresh vegetables definitely helped!"
- "It's made a huge difference in our family! Having funds dedicated to fresh fruits and veggies has made me reevaluate the way we eat and what we eat ... on a budget, it is easy to lean towards cheaper, more filling foods."
- "It's really had a major impact on my life. Not only can I now purchase fruits and vegetables, but coming from a natural foods store, I really notice the quality is a lot better and I've seen such an improvement in my health and blood sugars. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this."
- A senior patient, deeply moved by the program, expressed, "I called to say thank you. I literally have tears in my eyes ... This means SO much to me ... Now I can shop at the Co-op and get fresh food."
- Another participant, who had experienced long-term food insecurity, noted that with therapy and the produce vouchers, their life was moving in a better direction, creating a "snowball effect." This individual saw health improvements and eventually secured a well-paid, full-time job, showcasing the ripple effect of improved nutrition.
These heartwarming stories underscore our mission: to make the healing presence of God known, improve health, and advance social justice for all. Our dedicated healthcare teams are integral to this mission, bringing hope and healing through compassion and humankindness.
Advancing Community Health Together
This first research paper is a testament to our commitment to advancing community health, fostering primary care innovation, and establishing best practices in "Food in Medicine." This journey is made possible by the collaborative spirit of our patient participants, dedicated clinic teams, supportive food business partners, hospital and clinic leadership, mission leaders, philanthropy partners, research collaborators, and our valued funders.
We are confident that by embracing these holistic approaches, we can continue to foster a healthier future for all – inspired by faith, driven by innovation, and powered by our humanity.
