From having access to affordable fresh fruits and vegetables to supporting the region’s farmers, UC Davis Health is committed to farm-to-fork initiatives that improve food security and access to healthy, locally sourced options.
Healthy Options and Food Security
Circumstances we’re helping to improve:
Reducing environmental impacts
Helping to reduce environmental impacts on our region by leveraging our purchasing power
Supporting local farms and workers
Farm-to-fork contributes to local ag job and income security, including for migrant workers who often face health disparities
Food literacy, access and security
To inspire healthy habits, erase “food deserts,” and support partners helping families with food security
Some examples of our efforts:
Healthy Options, Food Literacy
Spotlight: ‘Farm to hospital’
UC Davis Health strives to become a model for other health care facilities. The medical center is home to one of Sacramento’s largest production kitchens and creator of 6,500 meals a day. In 2017, we began locally sourcing whole-food and plant-based ingredients. The goal: To source the majority of food within a 250-mile radius of the hospital.
Food Literacy
Spotlight: Supporting food literacy education
Our chefs team up with the Food Literacy Center to teach cooking and nutrition in low-income schools, among kids who are at highest risk for diet-related diseases like Type 2 diabetes.
Farmworker Health
Spotlight: Programs for ag workers
UC Davis Health and UC Davis are home to or involved in a number of projects supporting farmworker health. Some examples:
- Activate, a demonstration project using digital health to improve well-being of underserved and rural communities, in partnership with community health centers
- MOVE IT UP, a project to increase access to COVID vaccines, testing and treatment for historically underserved communities, with a focus on Latinos and Latino farmworkers
- The Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety, founded to improve health and safety of agricultural workers through research, training, and outreach
Food Security
Spotlight: Supporting food banks
UC Davis Health partners with local organizations to support grocery programs throughout our community. The health system has provided support for the River City Food Bank and several other local community-based organizations, assisting hundreds of families.
For example, River City served an average of 1,573 households per week in 2023, including emergency food distribution from locations in Midtown and Arden. The Arden location, which is funded by UC Davis Health, served an average of 733 households per week.
Healthy Options
Spotlight: Supporting farmer’s markets
UC Davis Health has been a supporter of the Oak Park Farmer’s Market. During the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, we also hosted COVID-19 vaccine pop-up clinics to provide vaccinations and health education.
More Believe in Better Highlights
Some recent examples of our ongoing efforts to advance health for all.
Student inspired to study medicine after rural surgeon heals his broken finger
A finger injury at age 14 set Noah Lyndall on a path that brought him to the School of Medicine where he is among 139 new, first year students.
UC Davis nursing school’s high school program earns national STEM award
The Summer Health Institute for Nursing Exploration and Success at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing is recognized for making a difference for underrepresented groups.
Large study confirms: Siblings of autistic children have 20% chance of autism
A new, large study confirms earlier findings that children with an autistic sibling have a 20% chance of being autistic themselves.
California cancer patients now have greater access to life-saving biomarker testing
A new law backed by the University of California gives cancer patients access to biomarker testing so targeted therapies can be used to fight their cancer.