Getting diagnosed with a chronic illness can be a frightening journey into the unknown. Patients are often told to change their diet and lifestyle without a clear roadmap, turning food—once a source of joy—into a source of anxiety. In 2024, our Food As Medicine (FAM) program continued to change this narrative, expanding its reach and impact across diverse communities.

Making changes doable and delicious, FAM provides patients with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to manage their conditions using nutritious food. In 2024, we've grown significantly, now serving over 400 Medi-Cal members every week. Each member receives home-delivered nutritious ingredients paired with online cooking classes, helping them manage diet-related diseases like type 2 diabetes. Our key program components are:

• Bi-weekly delivery of ingredients for class recipes 
• Weekly online interactive cooking and nutrition classes
• Recipes tailored to specific health challenges
• Social support from peers with similar diagnoses
• Relaxed interactions with medical professionals
• Up to 12 months of ongoing enrollment

Not Just Food, but Hope

Each FAM class consists of folks that have been attending for a matter of weeks to a matter of months. For new students, fear of the unknown becomes hope: if they can do it, so can I. It’s a peek into the future, one of positive possibilities. A new patient joins and may hear something like: