Good nutrition is one of the keys to good health. That’s something we’re taught throughout our lives, but for some people, getting that nutrition is easier said than done. And for people with limited means and access to nutritious foods, even the best clinical care can fall short of meeting health goals.

To bridge that gap, the Urban Health Alliance at UF Health Jacksonville launched the Food Pharmacy in June 2021. This program offers qualified patients at the UF Health Total Care Clinic – Jacksonville access to foods tailored to meet their medical needs. Program participants work with a nutritionist to improve their overall diet and foster healthy eating habits. Since opening, the Food Pharmacy has served more than 360 patients.

For many, the assistance and nutrition education is life-changing. This certainly has been true for Laura Heckt, who started using the Food Pharmacy in the fall of 2022.

It all began when she overheard a nurse talking about the Food Pharmacy with her primary care physician, Dr. Ross Jones, an associate professor of community health and medical director of the Urban Health Alliance. After learning more about the program, she was intrigued and wanted to know how she could use the resource. Heckt has diabetes and hoped that better nutrition might help to improve her health.

As part of the Food Pharmacy program, participants plan their diet and learn best practices to promote healthy eating habits. For Heckt, and many others, that training makes a significant difference. Since joining the program, Heckt has shown great improvement in her eating habits and has been able to reduce her blood sugar levels, as measured by an A1C test.

“My A1C is better; it’s decreasing,” said Heckt, explaining that she has been able to reduce her diabetes medication from four pills to one pill a day. She has also lost more than 50 pounds and continues to work on improving her quality of life.

“My physical and mental state changed for the better,” Heckt said. “I learned how to control my cravings; I started having more energy, getting better sleep, and I stopped smoking.” Changing her diet has proved to be a catalyst to changing her other life habits.

Prior to using the Food Pharmacy, Heckt would often feel tired and sluggish. She was eating a lot of carbohydrates and junk food. With access to nutritional information and better food choices, things truly began to change.

Heckt has made sure to include more fresh fruits and vegetables in her diet and works on controlling her portion sizes. She has limited her consumption of processed foods, incorporating healthier recipes into her regimen. Keto lasagna is one of her favorite meals. She looks forward to visiting the Food Pharmacy every two weeks and being able to include the fresh fruits and vegetables in her diet.

She credits the program for changing her life. “I wouldn’t be where I am today if it hadn’t been for the Food Pharmacy,” Heckt said.