Sonoma County Smart Box Pilot

About

This pilot was designed as part of the Hearts of Sonoma County cardiovascular disease initiative which is a project of Sonoma County Health Action. The pilot aims to prevent heart attacks and strokes by improving food access and nutrition education among low-income residents of southwest Santa Rosa. The 17 participating families had at least one adult with high or very high blood pressure and/or diabetes. All of the families were food insecure.

The weekly nutrition education class was offered on Saturday mornings at a local elementary school. The class was taught in Spanish with English translation. All family members were welcome, and child care was provided. Along with the positive impacts noted below, more than half of the participants also saw improvements in blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c (diabetes measure) and/or cholesterol.

Patients

17 adults at risk of heart attack or stroke because of high blood pressure and/or diabetes.

Funder

County of Sonoma through funding from the California Accountable Community of Health Initiative (CACHI)

Partners

  • Providence St. Joseph’s Health Community Health Promotion

  • Redwood Empire Food Bank

Intervention

Phase 1 (12 weeks)

  • Weekly 90 minute nutrition classes

  • 5 heart-healthy prepared meals for everyone in the family

  • Medically tailored groceries for everyone in the family

  • Recipes for everyone in the family

Phase 2 (1 year)

  • Monthly 90 minute nutrition education classes

Results

The pilot was highly successful in dramatically reducing food insecurity and improving healthy eating behaviors. Participants also reported improvements in both attitudes and confidence in healthy eating behaviors. While the study length was not long enough to impact some health measures, most patients saw improvements in measures such as A1c (blood glucose), blood pressure, and/or cholesterol.

Pre-intevention…

  • 0% reported “I always have enough to eat”

  • 0% reported “I ate no high sodium foods today”

  • 21% reported “I eat more than or equal to 3 daily servings of vegetables”

  • 52% reported “I understand the benefits of healthy eating”

Post-intervention…

  • 60% reported “I always have enough to eat”

  • 38% reported “I ate no high sodium foods today”

  • 78% reported “I eat more than or equal to 3 daily servings of vegetables”

  • 100% reported “I understand the benefits of healthy eating”