HUMBOLDT, Kan. — Twenty-seven Southeast Kansas residents are making healthier food choices after participating in the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) Food Is Medicine programs in Pittsburg and Humboldt.
The programs provided participants with healthy groceries tailored to their individual needs, nutrition education, cooking skills training and one-on-one support from healthcare professionals, including a dietitian. Participants learned practical skills such as reading nutrition labels, preparing balanced meals and shopping for nutritious foods on a budget.
“We’ve seen participants become more confident about shopping for, preparing and storing healthy food on a budget, while also making healthier food choices and reducing their consumption of sugary drinks,” said CHC/SEK Food Is Medicine Program Manager Leah Gagnon.
The programs also produced measurable health improvements. During the six-month program at B&W Trailer Hitches in Humboldt, participants experienced weight loss and lower A1C blood glucose levels. By the end of the program, nearly half were exercising four days per week, while 77% reported eating at least two servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
The initiative was supported by grants from the Sunflower Foundation and Health Forward Foundation, along with partnerships involving Wesley House Food Pantry, B&W Trailer Hitches, K-State Extension, the Kansas Food Bank and local grocery stores.
Gagnon said the program demonstrates how access to nutritious food, education and community support can help residents take greater control of their health.
CHC/SEK serves nearly 90,000 patients annually across Kansas and Oklahoma, providing healthcare services regardless of income or insurance status.
