New Partnership

Few would argue that eating nutritious food can result in better health and a longer life. Consuming healthy foods is especially important for individuals whose health is diet dependent, such as those trying to manage diabetes. In an effort to create better access to nutritious foods for food-insecure patients with uncontrolled diabetes, Genesis Health System launched a “food is medicine” program, the Genesis FoodPlex.

The FoodPlex is 100% charitably funded with initial grant support from Genesis Philanthropy (now Better Health Foundation) and continued support from Genesis Foundation donors.

Now in its second year, the FoodPlex serves more than 60 patients and their families, providing 20 healthy, nutritious meals every two weeks. FoodPlex patients also receive nutritional counseling from a dietitian and suggested menus.

To receive a “prescription” from their Genesis physician to visit the FoodPlex, a patient’s A1C, a measure of average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months, must be 9 or greater. Since the FoodPlex opened, patients have lowered their A1C levels, on average, by 1.2.

Sourcing the fresh fruits and vegetables provided to FoodPlex families is one of the most important and costly elements of the program. Thanks to a new partnership forged with Tapestry Farms, the FoodPlex has access to locally grown fresh lettuce at a cost less than retail. The leafy greens delivered to the FoodPlex were some of the first produce grown in the Tapestry Farms hydroponic garden.

Every FoodPlex purchase from Tapestry Farms is an investment in the organization’s mission — to empower refugees in the Quad Cities to connect, contribute and thrive.

Tapestry Farms, a nonprofit urban farm system, invests in refugees who live in the Quad Cities. Many of the people served by Tapestry Farms have lived in refugee camps for more than a decade. When they arrive in the Quad Cities, they need assistance with nearly every aspect of life - education, health care, food, work, transportation, building community, and gaining citizenship.

Last fall, Better Health Foundation granted $58,330 to Tapestry Farms to hire a Community Navigator to help refugee families gain access to healthy foods and stock the organization’s culturally specific food pantry, Karibu Market.

Genesis Foundation Executive Director Sara Hodgini said, “the partnership with Tapestry Farms is good for families served by both of our organizations and our community as a whole. We all benefit when we can increase our capacity to care for vulnerable individuals, elevate the health and wellness of families, and operate more efficiently with the generous gifts received from our donors.”