We’ve long heard that you are what you eat. But for people facing food insecurity compounded with a challenging medical diagnosis, getting adequate nutrition seemed to be wishful thinking—until La Soupe stepped in with its Food As Medicine program.
Founded in 2015, La Soupe helps bridge the gap between food waste and hunger by turning surplus ingredients from local restaurants and shops into healthy meals for those in need. In the past year, the organization has transformed 1.4 million pounds of excess food into more than a million servings delivered among 73 communities via various partnerships.
While many people receive nourishment through these meals, the “sickest of the sick” were not aways able to accomplish their dietary needs. That all changed in 2022 when La Soupe chefs and volunteers completed specialized training that certified them to prepare Medically Tailored Meals (MTMs) to meet specific needs of people with both chronic health conditions and food insecurity. And so the organization launched Food As Medicine.
Hannah Griswold, La Soupe’s interim executive director and Food As Medicine director, says the program’s mission is to integrate good food into the healing process. “For those who are chronically ill and can’t shop or cook for themselves, we create a whole food meal that’s easy to heat and eat,” she says. “Nothing processed, no fillers, no additives, with the maximum nutrient dose. If the meal is tailored for diabetes, for example, it can help improve your disease management, quality of life, and longevity.”
MTMs are distributed in conjunction with pilot programs at both Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and UC Maternal Health. Children’s researchers aim to counter childhood obesity by promoting healthier eating through a combination of MTMs and increased physical activity. Participants receive meal deliveries for 12 weeks. In addition, a registered dietitian nutritionist from the HealthWorks! Clinic provides the children and their families with nutrition education throughout the study. Upon its completion, participants take a hands-on cooking class at La Soupe to learn how to prepare their favorite meals themselves.
At UC’s College of Applied Health Sciences, La Soupe joined forces with a research study focusing on cardiovascular disease prevention and management for expectant Black mothers in Hamilton County, led by Francoise Knox Kazimierczuk. La Soupe provides MTMs free of charge to participants to help address pregnancy-related hypertension and to minimize infant and maternal morbidity.
Those involved in La Soupe’s FAM program believe its reach will extend far beyond the individual to benefit society as a whole. “We have a significant problem in our community related to infant and maternal health, which is important when you think about family structure and dynamics,” says Kazimierczuk. “When you have a family member or a child who isn’t well, it affects us as a community, and if we’re trying to be a vibrant city or county we should be focusing on the least of us, especially moms and babies.”
[Photograph by Hatsue]