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The Ascension Seton Food is the Best Medicine (FBM) program has been philanthropically funded through the Seton Foundation since launching in May 2022. The FBM program was established by the Ascension Texas Council on Racial and Health Equity (ATCORHE) in response to the alarming rate of maternal deaths in Central Texas and the high rate of severe maternal morbidity cases, both of which are exacerbated by the  barriers to healthy food access experienced by minority populations. The goal is to provide nutrient-rich food to postpartum mothers and their newborns, reducing food insecurity, improving diet quality, and improving rates of home cooking, breastfeeding, and postpartum depression.

About 1 in 8 Texas households (1.4 million) face food insecurity, higher than the national average. Additionally, in Texas, a 1% increase in food insecurity leads to a $400 million rise in annual healthcare expenses.

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By the Numbers

From September 2023-October 2024.

  • 177 women enrolled in FBM 8-week program.

  • 1,396 food boxes delivered (10,688 pounds of food).

  • 73% of survey respondents reported eating more fruits and vegetables while enrolled in FBM.

  • Rates of food security increased from 12% to 33% after 8 weeks.

  • 34% of respondents rated their health as ‘very good’ after participating in FBM, compared to 29% before FBM.

Participant Facts

  • 83% of survey respondents have 2-4 adults living in the household with 65% having 2-4 children in the household.

  • 56% of respondents’ household income is under $15,000.

FBM Feedback

​​​“[FBM] has meant SO much! We are over the income limit for SNAP by less than 45$ and so we don’t qualify. Access to food is a real struggle for our family. This program has meant SO much to us. Honestly, I don’t know what we would have eaten some days without this food. It helped us be able to eat and feed our kids and it was healthy too. We are truly grateful. We are also sad the program ended! We miss it for sure. Thank you for every single thing that you do to help people like us.”

“First of all, thank you very much for including me in the Program; it was truly helpful because it allowed me to save a bit on food expenses, especially since I’m not working yet. I believe it’s an excellent program that provides significant support, particularly for people with limited financial resources. The fruits and vegetables were all very fresh; I really enjoyed the fruits (oranges, apples, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, etc.), everything was fresh and delicious. The meals were healthy and nutritious, […] it’s a very good option and incredibly helpful. Congratulations on an excellent program, and may God bless you all. Thank you for including me in the program; every Friday, I would look forward to the fruits—they were the first thing I would eat, especially the oranges 🍊 🥰 🙏🏻 👌🏻 Many thanks!”

Support Our Program

FBM is a program for the community, by the community. We can’t do this without your support. Donate today to help provide food provisions to our ASMCA birthing mothers and their newborn babies. All donations will directly support FBM and our community.

Elizabeth Polinard, PhD, RN.
FBM Program Supervisor and Co-founder/Chair of the Ascension Texas Council on Racial and Health Equity
epolinard@ascension.org

Victoria Threadgould, GPC, CFRE.
Director of Grants, Ascension Seton Foundation
victoria.threadgould@ascension.org

Contacts

Program Partners

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Farmshare Austin

Farmshare Austin is a nonprofit organization that has a mission to grow a healthy, just and equitable local food system by increasing community food access and cultivating new farmers. Located on a 10-acre, certified organic, mixed produce farm in Eastern Travis County, Farmshare provides beginner farmer training for adults who wish to launch careers in sustainable and organic farming. Most of the produce grown at the farm goes directly to Farmshare’s food access work which provides reduced priced, nutrient-rich produce and organic grocery items to those experiencing economic and mobility challenges.

The Cook’s Nook​

The Cook’s Nook is a leading developer and distributor of quality and culturally relevant nutrition solutions that address food insecurity and chronic disease and drive high engagement and satisfaction. To do this, The Cook’s Nook works with their customers to design programs that lead to improved health and economic outcomes by providing vulnerable populations access to quality nutrition with dignity and choice.

Ascension Seton Foundation

Ascension Seton Foundation is the fundraising arm of Ascension Seton. Working with our philanthropic community, we support Ascension Seton’s Central Austin adult facilities, including Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin (ASMCA), Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas (Dell Seton), and Ascension Seton Shoal Creek (ASSC).

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Michael and Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living at UTHealth

The Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living at the UTHealth School of Public Health in Austin is an integral part of UTHealth, which is one of six component institutions of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. The center was founded in 2006 with a vision of 'healthy children in a healthy world' and a mission to advance health and healthy living for children and families through early and impactful interventions. UTHealth's Austin campus is dedicated to building public health in Central Texas by excelling in professional development and training, conducting transdisciplinary research, and translating scientific knowledge into actionable initiatives that foster healthy habits within the community.

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