Buffalo, NY — Buffalo Go Green has partnered with Kaleida Health, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Cornell University to launch Fresh Start for Health, an innovative produce prescription and nutrition education program for more than 200 eligible Kaleida Health employees in Buffalo, NY. Funded by the Mother Cabrini Foundation, the initiative aims to improve health behaviors, reduce food insecurity, and generate critical data to support long-term, sustainable food-as-medicine solutions.

Allison DeHonney, founder and CEO of Buffalo Go Green notes, “As a community based organization hyper fixated on the needs of the community, we recognize that to make real systemic change in food systems and healthcare we need a lot of partners at the table! We have gathered some of the best for this project!”

With rising rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and food insecurity nationwide and diet-related healthcare costs estimated at $650 billion annually, this program represents a promising model for how healthcare providers and insurers can address chronic disease while improving outcomes and reducing costs.

Fresh Start for Health provides participants with weekly access to fresh fruits and vegetables, hands-on nutrition education, and wellness support over 8-, 12-, 18-, or 24-week sessions. The program is designed for Buffalo-based Kaleida Health employees who are enrolled in Highmark coverage who are experiencing food insecurity and managing diet-related conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

Administered by Buffalo Go Green, an urban agriculture nonprofit based on Buffalo’s East Side, the program builds on years of community-based work growing and distributing sustainably produced food while delivering practical cooking and nutrition education. Through this partnership, Highmark and Kaleida Health will also evaluate health outcomes and cost-effectiveness, helping inform future employer-sponsored health benefits and strengthen the connection between healthcare and healthy food access.

“Kaleida Health is proud to join this powerful collaboration focused on improving access to nutritious food and empowering healthier lifestyles,” said Vicki Landes, vice president of community health improvement for Kaleida Health. “When our employees have access to the nutritious food and support they need to care for their own health, they are better equipped to care for our patients. Fresh Start for Health not only strengthens our workforce, but also strengthens the quality of care we provide across the community.”

“As a not-for-profit health plan, Highmark is committed to driving new partnerships that elevate health across our entire community,” said Michael Ball, vice president of community affairs, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. “We are proud to join our trusted partners in this transformative pilot program. While it begins by ensuring our city’s frontline healthcare workers have access to nutritious foods and health education, its data-driven foundation offers a powerful opportunity to expand these efforts in the future to continue improving community health.”

The Cornell FIG Research Lab will lead evaluation efforts, examining the program’s impact on food security and health behaviors.

“The Cornell FIG Research Lab is proud to partner with Buffalo Go Green, Kaleida Health, and Highmark Health to examine the effects of a workplace-based produce prescription program,” said Dr. Roger Figueroa of the Cornell FIG Research Lab. “Our collaboration reflects a strong academic-community partnership that advances interdisciplinary research and creates real-world impact in the Buffalo community.”

This was made possible through a $688,000 grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, a private, nonprofit organization established in 2019 to improve the health and wellbeing of New Yorkers, bolster the health outcomes of vulnerable communities, eliminate barriers to care, and bridge gaps in health services. Named after a tireless advocate for immigrants, children, and the poor, the Foundation funds programs and initiatives across New York State that provide direct health care services and address social determinants of health under five program areas: Access to Care, Basic Needs, Healthcare Workforce, Mental & Behavioral Health, and the General Fund. The Foundation has invested a total of $1.2+ billion to support communities across New York State.

Highmark also contributed significant in-kind support through project planning, coordination, and program management. This commitment will continue beyond the program’s launch, with ongoing implementation, monitoring, and evaluation efforts to measure outcomes and inform future program enhancements.

“Access to healthy food must be part of how we build healthier communities,” Mayor Sean Ryan said. “Fresh Start for Health is an innovative partnership that will improve lives by connecting people with nutritious food, education, and the support they need to stay healthy.