The Food as Health Alliance (FAHA) has been working to improve the lives of Kentuckians for over one year. To celebrate, the alliance hosted a celebration at Alltech Brewery in Lexington. 

FAHA is made up of researchers, clinicians, community partners, food commodity producers, health care partners and students representing diverse partners who all seek the same mission. FAHA Director and Gatton Foundation Endowed Chair Alison Gustafson has been working with clinical and community partners in research, outreach, training, and policy spanning agriculture, food and health to address food insecurity and diet-sensitive chronic disease.  

This one-year milestone has shown Gustafson just how much these efforts benefit others. 

“We are thrilled to report that through various collaborations and grants we have provided Food is Medicine programs to over 400 adults with hypertension or type 2 diabetes,” Gustafson said. “We have reduced blood pressure and food insecurity and have improved overall health for Kentuckians.” 

The event celebrated FAHA’s partners, including UK HealthCare, UofL Health, Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Aetna, Humana, Dare to Care, Feeding Kentucky, God’s Pantry and several others. Keynote speakers included Cabinet for Health and Family Services Eric Friedlander and Commissioner of Medicaid Lisa Lee. In addition, Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell discussed the collaborative work between the Alliance and the Food is Medicine work group in the last year and what lays ahead.  

“We are looking forward to our next steps and future collaborations with agriculture, health care, insurance, industry, and community-based organizations to do even more,” Gustafson said. 

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