Posted by Jane Francis, USDA, FNS and written by Hannah Benson, Undertaking Bread Program Supervisor in

Meals and Diet

Mar 08, 2023

Project Bread’s Flexible Services Program Office Team stands near statement on the wall that reads, “We envision a Massachusetts where huger is permanently solved.”

A number of research constantly hyperlink poor entry to meals to poor well being outcomes, together with coronary heart illness, stroke, and kind 2 diabetes. Undertaking Bread, a Massachusetts’ nonprofit targeted on completely fixing meals insecurity, teamed up with MassHealth to pilot the Versatile Providers Program, or FSP, to bolster meals safety and meet dietary wants from beginning all through childhood and past, enhancing well being outcomes at each stage of life. Since April 2020, over 7,000 MassHealth members (ranging in age from 0 months to 64 years) with advanced well being points got an array of meals sources, together with present playing cards for groceries, cooking provides, fridges, cooking lessons, transportation help, and diet schooling.

A latest analysis of 491 purchasers, who engaged in this system between November 2020 – October 2021, considerably improved their food plan and well being as follows:

  • 25% turned meals safe
  • Fruit and vegetable consumption elevated by 3.5 servings per week
  • SNAP enrollment elevated by 12.4%
  • 99% reported that participation in FSP improved their well being

Undertaking Bread employs 11 diet providers coordinators to serve MassHealth purchasers throughout a number of languages, together with Spanish, Portuguese, Cape Verdean Creole, Haitian Creole, Arabic, and Vietnamese. These coordinators assist handle racial inequity in underserved communities, as these communities are disproportionately affected by social and financial limitations to good well being.

This system has made life-changing enhancements for a lot of members. When John A. in Gardner, MA misplaced his job as a cook dinner at age 52, his food plan and his well being deteriorated, impacting his means to regain employment. FSP sources gave John the chance to take again his food plan and his future.

“Not solely has this program helped me financially by way of paying for groceries, however the cooking exhibits [hosted by Project Bread chefs and nutritionists] have reignited my ardour for cooking. Now, meals is medication to me,” mentioned participant John A.

To be taught extra, entry Undertaking Bread’s Meals Safety is Well being Care Influence Report.

Project Bread staff assists clients on the telephone

Class/Subject:
Meals and Diet