On Saturday mornings, a dedicated group of Duke University School of Medicine students, who are on the path to treating cancer or performing surgeries in the future, come together. Their purpose? To ensure that the residents of Durham County have an adequate supply of nutritious food. This is a crucial aspect of their work as they strive to make a positive impact on the community.

Transforming Patient Care through Fresh Produce

Origins and Growth of the Program

The Fresh Produce Program is an integral part of Root Causes, a medical student organization committed to addressing the social determinants of health. It delivers fresh food to families in Durham County twice a month. In 2020, it started as a small initiative but has now grown into a direct-to-door delivery model, supporting around 450 community members. This growth has been made possible by a collaborative network involving medical school students, undergraduates, and faculty from Duke Health and Duke University. They have formed partnerships with various community organizations like Farmer Foodshare, the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, El Centro Hispano, and Bagging It 4 Kids.Local fresh foods such as watermelon, collard greens, sweet potatoes, and onions are delivered along with recipes to inspire healthy eating. The program has no time limit, providing continuous support to families as long as they need it and live in the area.

Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

Although the program has achieved significant success, it now faces a crucial moment. Relying heavily on student volunteers who balance their service with rigorous academic schedules, it has reached its limits. As a small non-profit, it has unique legal and financial demands. Additionally, there is more interest from Duke providers who want to refer their patients than the program can handle with its current resources. To sustain and expand, the program is exploring a transition to become an independent entity within Duke. This could unlock new funding sources and provide the necessary organizational structure for growth."We've always been driven by the energy and creativity of our students," said fourth-year medical student Trevor Sytsma, a leader of the program. "But now, we're focused on building a sustainable model that can meet the growing needs of our community while maintaining our innovative spirit."

The Link between Food Insecurity and Health

Food insecurity and obesity often go hand in hand, which is a surprising paradox for those struggling to get enough to eat. When people face food shortages, they often turn to cheaper, unhealthy food options. These foods are highly processed, contain high levels of salt, and are rich in easily digested carbohydrates. They do not provide a lasting sense of fullness, leading to increased food consumption. Research shows that limited access to nutritious food also makes it more difficult to manage conditions like diabetes.The Fresh Produce Program stands out by focusing not only on hunger but also on nutrition. It recognizes that food is a key part of a person's overall well-being. Scott "Esko" Brummel, the program manager and assistant director for Food and Nutrition Security in Duke's Office of Community Health, and his colleagues are researching how the program is affecting health outcomes.This innovative approach is a reflection of the people behind it. The Fresh Produce Program is one of the few, if not the only, medical school-led initiatives of its kind. It shows the type of students that Duke Medical School admits - those who focus on treating patients as whole individuals, beyond their condition or disease."If the medical school had been admitting a different type of person, I don't think this club would have gotten started, and it would never have continued to succeed through the years," said Spratt.You can support Root Causes by making a pledge to Duke Health at: https://www.gifts.duke.edu/dukehealth?designation=399000173