Repairing trust, advocating for lasting change
Our Impact
The Food as Medicine Collaborative is leading the effort to put nutrition security at the center of health equity. Our work directly addresses the social factors that lead to health disparities, effectively preventing, treating, and in some instances reversing diet-sensitive health conditions in Black, Latinx, and communities impacted by poverty. By bridging health and food systems, we increase opportunities for San Franciscans and Californians to live the healthiest lives possible.
2024 Impact Report
This report describes the impacts of Food Pharmacies across San Francisco, explains how FAMC is transforming healthcare systems to integrate MSF&N services into routine healthcare, and details our efforts to advance statewide policy change.
During 2024, we saw the following results:
1,300+
Patients and their families served
in San Francisco
99%
Recommend Food Pharmacy
to Family and/or Friends
13,000+
Visits to Food Pharmacies
connecting participants with healthy food, health care, and community
Decrease in BP and A1c
More than 1-15 drop in BP and 1-2 points for A1c
on average
What patients are saying
“Since coming to Food Pharmacy, my blood pressure and A1c have gone down.”
“I’ve had positive outcomes as a direct result of coming to the Food Pharmacy. Blood pressure levels, blood sugar levels, cholesterol, lab work–all levels are positive. It’s been an all-around good contributor to my health, both physically and psychologically.”
Southeast Health Center Participant, 2021
“Food Pharmacy helped me a lot because the veggies I brought home were better quality vs store purchased. Also it helped me psychologically, it reduced my stress. After coming home from Food Pharmacy, I felt happier. I enjoyed listening to the talks. I know it is hard to control blood sugars but they gave me confidence in managing my eating habits. I also shared with others in the group.”
Castro Mission Health Center Participasn 2024
Food Pharmacy Patient Evaluation
Over 30 Food Pharmacy participants were interviewed in 2021. View the results.
What providers are saying
“It feels great to connect patients to resources that can improve their quality of life and health.”
“Patients see that we really care about them in all aspects, not only coming to see the doctor, taking the blood pressure.”
Nurse Manager
“Food Pharmacy is transforming patients’ lives while fostering trust and strengthening their connection with their clinic.”
Health Outreach Worker
Food Pharmacy Provider Evaluation
Clinic staff members were surveyed in 2022 to understand their experiences implementing Food Pharmacies. View the results.
Outcomes
We conduct rigorous evaluation of our programs to ensure that we are continuously evolving our offerings and best serving San Francisco’s Black, Latinx, and communities impacted by nutrition insecurity.
2025
Effectiveness of Food Pharmacy on blood pressure among San Francisco Health Network Patients with hypertension.
External evaluation conducted by UCSF researchers. Results coming soon. Please contact us for further information.
2025
Highlights from Food Pharmacy Evaluations
Presentation sharing highlights from case studies, patient surveys, staff surveys, and outcomes from Food Pharmacies in the San Francisco Health Network clinics can be found here.
To learn more about the impact of medically supportive food and nutrition programs, see research compiled by our partner Vouchers 4 Veggies.