Food as Medicine
Food as Medicine Program
Our surveys with Food as Medicine (FAM) participants underscore the necessity of these programs, which deliver fresh food boxes designed to be affordable, accessible, and robust. These surveys give a voice to those historically unheard. Beyond providing food, these programs empower communities to have a say in what they eat and how they access it–reflecting the essence of food sovereignty. Since launching in February 2023, these programs have been thriving. Despite common assumptions about historically exploited communities, our FAM participants have shown remarkable consistency and dedication to the program. This illustrates that if you make a food box program available to a residence or clinic, participants will show up because their health is a priority. In fact, only 14% of respondents have participated for less than 9 months. This speaks not only to the strong commitment of participants but also the continued growth and expansion of the program.
For a single adult, the poverty line as of winter 2024 is $20k a year. Nearly half of our FAM participants live below the extreme poverty line, making less than or equal to $15k annually. Only a small percentage (8.7%) of responders earn the highest incomes in our program, between $30,000 and $44,000 per year. When compared to median household incomes in the Bronx ($47,260) and Manhattan ($99,530), it’s clear that we’re reaching some of the most underserved populations.
64% of respondents identify as Black and 35% as Latino, exemplifying the racial disparities still present in New York City. For instance, Latino New Yorkers are twice as likely to live in poverty compared to white New Yorkers, with rates of 26% versus 13%. 65% of participants live in Manhattan, while 35% reside in the Bronx, with Bronx participants primarily connected through clinic sites, except for Mandela, which is a residential site. Participant ages range from 28 to 74, with the majority being over 50, and a significant portion of seniors (65+). Through these surveys, we can happily share that 98% of respondents say they feel respected and enjoy the program. Originally CHFP FAM was just at family health centers, however, based on feedback from the community, we expanded to residential sites. This data continues to build upon a story of sustained engagement, especially at Philip Randolph Houses, a residential site located in upper manhattan. These respondents are particularly eager to participate in our programming. We are very proud of the trust we’ve built in the community, demonstrating our commitment to deeper relationships over transactional ones that contribute to the charity industrial complex. In fact, some of our site coordinators live in the residential sites of our FAM programs.
Respondents shared that the most important factors in their shopping habits are price and affordability. As a New Yorker for over a decade, I can personally attest to the extraordinarily high and often unmanageable cost of living. The average monthly rent for upper Manhattan is $2000 for a single person, not including utilities, while in the Bronx, it stands at $1800. It is a commonly shared sentiment that living here requires sacrifice, and with the average monthly cost of food at $600, it makes sense that low price points are essential. Locally grown produce ranks lower on the priority list, since participants either lack easy access to farmer’s markets, or find them too expensive. Instead of having beautiful markets as those in higher income areas (the Union Square Farmers Market, for example), the options for our communities are inconvenient and unwelcoming, located under train tracks or in parking lots. Consequently, community members (90%) are relegated to mediocre big box stores. Despite a strong desire to shop for locally grown food, high costs, uninviting spaces, and accessibility issues often place it out of reach.
Check out our Food as Medicine findings below:
Key Attitudes and Values: Our communities reported affordability, convenience, variety, and locally sourced produce as their top priorities when purchasing food.
Economic Status: 92% of our FAM community members are at or below the 2024 Federal Poverty Level
Age Range: Most of our FAM members are over th age of 50, with about 70% of our responants being 51 or older.
Race and Ethnicity: Over 2/3 of our participants identify as Black and about 1/3 or our participants identify as Latino.
Family Size: More than half of our participants live in households of more than 1, with about half living alone.
Purchasing Locations: Our participants shop at a variety of locations but over 90% reported purchasing food from local Big Box grocery stores among other national stores like Aldis and Target.
FAM box Consumption: Almost 70% of our participants eat all produce in their bi-weekly boxes, which includes 8-10 different produce items, like carrots, beets, peaches, and other seasonal produce.
Participant Satisfaction: Our FAM participants enjoy being a part of the CH Food as Medicine program!
This is a call to action to take part in strengthening our local food systems. Investing in agriculture and small-scale food production is crucial, as it creates the infrastructure and capacity necessary to lower the cost of fresh, local produce. This investment would also facilitate the development of welcoming food spaces—markets, hubs, or FAM sites—that encourage engagement and bridge the gap between growers and consumers.
While we believe it is possible to transform the food landscape in our neighborhoods–the results of our ongoing surveys express its necessity. Ultimately, strengthening our food system isn’t just about increasing access to fresh produce; it’s about building thriving communities that are nourished physically and mentally. Please join us in advocating for funding and policies that support sustainable practices and equitable access, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of locally grown food.
