FAITH-DM Study

The Feeding America Intervention Trial for Health—Diabetes Mellitus (FAITH-DM) is a randomized, controlled study being carried out in food pantries under the direction of Dr. Hilary Seligman with the University of California, San Francisco. The Houston Food Bank is one of three selected to participate in the study along with food banks in Detroit, MI and Oakland, CA. 

Diabetes affects over 29 million adults and children in the U.S. today, and research shows that individuals who are low-income and food insecure have an increased risk of developing diet-sensitive chronic diseases, like type 2 diabetes. The goal of FAITH-DM will be to determine how food bank-based interventions can improve glycemic control for people living with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes.  The study will also investigate how effective the intervention is on improving other diabetes outcomes.

Each year, the Houston Food Bank provides millions of nutritious meals to the community. While we are committed to providing massive amounts of food to hunger relief charities, our strategy must evolve to address the root causes of food insecurity.

Food for Change, a new initiative of the Houston Food Bank, will strategically distribute food as a catalyst to motivate client participation in partner social service programs with measurable outcomes. Through Food for Change, the Food Bank seeks to transform lives and reduce the number of families who need food assistance.