Progress 09/15/23 to 09/14/24
Outputs
Target Audience:FreshRx Oklahoma works inNorth Tulsa, concentrating on underserved, food insecurepopulations diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Our members are primarily SNAP-eligible residents, predominantly women older than 65. Our demographics include, but are not limited to, the Hispanic population, African Americans, and Native Americans. Changes/Problems:Enrollment took about six months longer than expected to reach our goal. Our participants will graduate from the program in June 2025 instead of December 2024. Collecting health data proved challenging because some centers would not release records or authorize additional quarterly testing. The new process increased member's awareness of the data collection and alternative point-of-care testing. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The FreshRx program has provided a variety of opportunities for training and professional development to enhance the skills and capabilities of our employees. We have supported team members in learning computer basics, enabling them to improve their job performance and effectively manage daily operations such as data entry, communication, and the use of program-specific software. Our Produce Director has received training in crop planning, equipping them to work closely with local farmers in planning next year's crops. This effort not only enhances the efficiency of our produce sourcing but also strengthens relationships with farmers by providing them with valuable insights and support for their agricultural operations. In addition, we have aligned our class schedule with CDCES (Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist) curriculum and incorporated tailored cooking demonstrations and exercise classes. These initiatives empower our members to take control of their health, achieve their wellness goals, and better manage chronic conditions. This alignment also allows staff to gain deeper knowledge in chronic disease prevention and education, which translates into improved service delivery. These professional development efforts ensure that our employees are equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to deliver high-quality service, support stakeholders effectively, and contribute to the program's success while advancing their personal career growth. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results of our program have been effectively disseminated to communities of interest through multiple channels to maximize reach and impact. Success stories have been highlighted on local news channels, showcasing the transformative effects of our program on participants' health and well-being. On a national level, our program was recognized at the National Produce Prescription Collaborative Annual Summit, where data and outcomes were shared with leaders in the field. Additionally, our team has presented findings and insights at numerous conferences across the country, fostering dialogue and collaboration with broader audiences. Our founder and director, Erin Martin, further amplified these results by testifying before the Senate HELP Subcommittee, where she shared data and outcomes and advocated for federal funding for produce prescription and food is medicine programs. Her testimony emphasized the need to integrate these initiatives into Area Agency on Aging funding through the Older Americans Act, bringing critical attention to the importance of such programs at a federal policy level. Furthermore, we ensure transparency and stakeholder engagement by compiling an annual comprehensive report that is distributed to funders and community stakeholders. This report includes detailed outcomes, success stories, and data analysis, serving as a key tool to inform and inspire continued investment and support for our work. These dissemination efforts are integral to raising awareness, expanding support, and driving the broader adoption of food as medicine programs nationwide. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, FreshRx will focus on enhancing engagement and retention for current members by maintaining consistent communication through text message reminders for distribution pickups, class participation, and doctor visits.Educational resources will also be expanded, with additional videos recorded and uploaded to the YouTube channel for on-demand access. To ensure robust health monitoring, we will strengthen follow-ups to encourage timely submission of health metrics like A1c checks and analyze the collected data to measure program impact and identify areas for improvement. We will track post-program outcomes through surveys to evaluate long-term health benefits and overall satisfaction. These efforts aim to ensure members transition smoothly out of the program while continuing to experience positive health outcomes.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
To support the goal of improving health metrics for individuals with Type 2 Diabetes, one of our standout success stories highlights a member who lost 116 pounds during their participation. Through tailored education on nutrition, this individual not only achieved a healthier weight but also reduced their reliance on medication, with their provider discontinuing most prescriptions by the end of the program year. This reflects measurable progress in empowering members to self-manage their chronic conditions and reduce dependency on prescription drugs. In alignment with the goal to increase consumption of local, fresh fruits and vegetables, we expanded the number of local farmers eligible to supply produce for our distributions, strengthening the connection between participants and the local food economy. Additionally, participants reported higher engagement in consuming fresh, local produce beyond the program, showcasing a lasting impact on dietary habits. To further enhance patient knowledge of nutrition and holistic health, we aligned our class schedule with CDCES curriculum and offered tailored cooking demonstrations. These efforts equipped members with the tools and confidence needed to take control of their health and maintain long-term lifestyle changes. In addressing barriers to data collection, particularly from the 22 medical centers we collaborate with, we implemented new processes to improve reporting accuracy. These include regular data collection intervals every three months and the provision of point-of-care equipment for real-time health data collection. These improvements enhance our ability to monitor program impact and provide timely feedback for both participants and stakeholders. Overall, the FreshRx program continues to make meaningful contributions toward improving health outcomes, increasing access to nutritious foods, and fostering sustainable behavior change among its participants.
Publications
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Progress 09/15/22 to 09/14/23
Outputs
Target Audience:We serve SNAP eligilble residents inthe food desert of North Tulsa with Type 2 diabetes. Predominantly, we serve older adult women of either black or indigenous descent. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We provide 4-6 educational opportunities per month which includes a hybrid of both in-person and online classes. This includes both nutrition, mental health, and cooking demonstrations. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We plan to evaluate the data upon program completion and have it evaluated by our third party data evaluators. We will be providing stipends to complete the post surveys to ensure that we get the most comparative data with matching pre- and post surveys.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
As of September 27th, 2023, we have enrolled 52 participants. Participants will complete the program in 2024 and goals/outcomes will be evaluated upon completion of upcoming health metric check points and post-surveys. We have recently partnered with Hunger Free Oklahoma, our DoubleUp nutrition incentive organization to get more referrals and to connect more of our participants with SNP and DoubleUp. Recently, we found out that there are only 48 people on SNP in the zip codes we currently serve. We have additionally partnered with Tulsa Responds who will help more participants sign up for SNP and SoonerCare (our State Medicaid).
Publications
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