The study, conducted in partnership with researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine, will focus on our clients with HIV or diabetes. Study participants will receive three meals a day from Project Open Hand, meals that are tailored to meet 100% of their nutrition needs and integrated into their overall healthcare. In addition, these clients will receive intensive case management and enhanced nutritional counseling and education.

Working with our partners, we will closely monitor the health of our study participants and their response to our comprehensive nutrition. We believe our pilot will demonstrate what we know anecdotally—that providing complete nutrition to people who are ill can markedly improve their health and well-being. A nutritious diet enables them to better manage the symptoms of disease and adhere to treatments, as well as reduces stress, which in turn, can significantly lower healthcare costs.

If our Food = Medicine pilot study is a success, we hope to expand the same comprehensive nutrition services to others in our community who are ill and will benefit from three nutritious meals a day.