- 13 -
accessHealthNews.net
September 2025
Volume 11 | Issue No. 100
A follow-up to October 2024 coverage
reveals sustained health improvements
and challenges that lie ahead
In October 2024, the University Health
FoodFARMacy initiative launched as an
ambitious pilot program aiming to serve
150 participants across five community
partner sites. The "food as medicine"
approach seemed promising, but like
many innovative health care interventions,
the true test would come in the data.
One year later, the results demonstrate
clear success.
The program ultimately enrolled 113
participants across six partner sites —
falling short of the original 150-person goal
but achieving something more significant:
an extraordinary 81% retention rate over
12 months.
In comparison, similar interventions
typically see retention rates between 27%
and 75%.
"We ended with six total sites and 113
participants," explains Dr. Kelsey Gardiner,
assistant professor of health studies at the
University of Missouri-Kansas City, who
leads the research evaluation. "That's a
lot for a pilot. It's very common for a pilot
to have 25 participants enrolled and just
have one site included."
The high retention rate becomes even
more impressive when considering the
complex circumstances participants face.
"One of my favorite things that we're hearing is how much it's
impacting their family unit. So their kids are consuming the foods that
they're bringing home and now have a preference for them. Hopefully,
we're able to make an impact generationally."
READ MORE
- Dr. Kelsey Gardiner,
Assistant Professor of Health Studies
At the University of Missouri-Kansas City
