‘Farming for Life’ Program Improves Diabetes Outcomes

Sansum Diabetes Research Institute received a significant matching grant to get an innovative “food as therapy” project off the ground. The Hearst Foundation donated $100,000 to the Farming For Life program, which provides locally grown vegetables to low-income people with diabetes or at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The pilot study saw impressive reductions for participants in blood pressure and waist circumference, both of which are significant markers for cardiovascular disease, explained Mary Kujan, the project coordinator. Also, the regular servings of vegetables improved food security for the participants. “Based on this, we are very confident that Farming For Life can absolutely improve the health of those with type 2 diabetes,” Kujan said.

The Hearst Foundation donation brings Sansum closer to the $400,000 match needed for a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that covers half the program. The Santa Barbara Foundation is also supporting the effort, which begins in January 2019 in a three-month initial phase. In a statement, the Hearst Foundation expressed its support for a cutting-edge program that can be reproduced in other communities “to address the heavy burdens of chronic disease and food insecurity.”

Participants will be given “produce prescriptions” — for organic vegetables grown at Fairview Farms, John Givens Farms, and other area producers — to be used at the Fresh Food Pharmacy at Santa Barbara’s Unity Shoppe to feed themselves and their families. In return, participants are measured and provide information on diabetes control, food security, and their overall health.