In New Mexico, where food is deeply tied to heritage, health, and community, Three Sisters Kitchen, a nonprofit in Albuquerque, is redefining care for those in need. Their Harvest to Health (H2H) program, created in partnership with Encuentro NM, is improving senior nutrition, addressing food insecurity, and building a skilled workforce of home health aides (HHAs). With funding from the Con Alma Health Foundation, H2H is an example of how community-driven solutions can tackle some of the most pressing health challenges faced by vulnerable populations.
Understanding the Need: Senior Poverty and Food Insecurity
New Mexico ranks third in the nation for senior poverty, with many older adults in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County struggling to access nutritious food. Food insecurity among seniors is linked to chronic health conditions like depression, diabetes, heart disease, and asthma. The H2H program recognizes that addressing senior hunger requires more than providing food—it demands education, hands-on training, and community support.
By equipping HHAs with the skills to prepare healthy meals and manage chronic diseases, H2H tackles senior hunger at its source. “This program celebrates the expertise that home care providers bring and supports their interest in exploring the role of food in their work,” says Three Sisters Executive Director Anzia Bennet.
A Community-Driven Solution to Senior Care
Harvest to Health was born from the needs of Spanish-speaking graduates of Encuentro’s Home Health Aid training program, many of whom provide care for low-income seniors facing chronic illnesses worsened by poor nutrition. In response, Three Sisters Kitchen created a 10-week training course that combines senior nutrition education with hands-on cooking instruction.
Participants learn to prepare meals tailored to clients’ specific needs, including those with diabetes and dementia. The program also delivers fresh, locally sourced food bi-weekly, allowing caregivers to practice their new skills at home, benefiting their own families’ nutrition as well.
Certified Nursing Assistant Maluisa shared her experience: “I learned how to control carbohydrates for a client with diabetes, adjust sodium intake for a client with high blood pressure, and prepare food with the right consistency for a client with Parkinson’s. These changes improved their health and quality of life.”
Another HHA, Alma, noted the personal impact: “Learning about nutrition has allowed me to offer a better quality of life to my clients. I can prepare meals that meet their dietary needs, prevent choking, and improve digestion.” She also learned to read food labels and understand how nutrition impacts medication effectiveness.
These testimonials highlight how H2H empowers HHAs with skills that improve not only their clients’ health but also their caregiving capabilities, allowing them to offer better care and promote healthier lifestyles.
Overcoming Challenges: Recruitment and Adaptation
Though successful, the program faced challenges in 2023, including recruitment difficulties that resulted in smaller cohorts than expected. Nevertheless, the program adapted by planning to expand its reach to Community Health Workers (CHWs), family caregivers, and other care providers interested in senior nutrition.
Despite these hurdles, H2H thrived through strong collaboration with partners like Presbyterian Healthcare Services, Meals on Wheels New Mexico, and Encuentro. These organizations co-lead program planning, facilitation, and evaluation, ensuring the program remains responsive to community needs.
Measuring Success: Outcomes and Long-Term Impact
In 2023, H2H delivered 40 hours of senior nutrition training to 11 HHAs, distributing 651 pounds of fresh, locally sourced food. All participants reported an improvement in their nutrition knowledge, with increased healthy eating behaviors, cooking confidence, and familiarity with local produce.
Since 2018, 125 community members have graduated from the program, the majority being Spanish-speaking, Latina immigrants. These participants often provide in-home care for seniors, as well as care for their own children or elders. The program’s long-term impact is clear: it equips HHAs with concrete strategies for managing chronic diseases and improving senior nutrition, leading to better quality of life for seniors and a stronger home healthcare workforce.
Building a Thriving Community: The Power of Mutual Support
One of the most significant long-term effects of the Three Sisters H2H program is the creation of a supportive community among HHAs. In a profession that can be isolating, the program offers opportunities for mutual learning and support. This sense of community helps combat feelings of isolation, fostering resilience and empowerment among participants.
The validation of their expertise and the support of their peers lead to a thriving workforce, better prepared to care for seniors and advocate for their own health and well-being. The mental and physical benefits of participating in a learning community cannot be overstated.
The Future of Harvest to Health: Continuing the Journey
As Harvest to Health looks to the future, the program remains committed to continuous improvement and community engagement. The insights gained from the challenges and successes of 2023 will guide its evolution, ensuring it continues to meet the needs of HHAs, seniors, and the broader community.
The support from the Con Alma Health Foundation has been instrumental in the program’s success. This funding allowed Three Sisters Kitchen and Encuentro to refine the curriculum, rethink recruitment strategies, and center the experiences of HHAs and their clients. As Bennet notes, “The grant allowed us to identify challenges, learn from peers, and build a network of support.”
Conclusion: A Model for Community-Driven Health Initiatives
The Harvest to Health program serves as a model for how community-driven initiatives can address complex health challenges and create lasting change. By empowering HHAs with the knowledge and skills to improve senior nutrition and manage chronic diseases, H2H enhances the quality of care for seniors while building a more confident, capable home healthcare workforce.
As the program grows, its journey will inspire other communities to explore similar approaches to improving health outcomes and addressing food insecurity. The success of Harvest to Health is a testament to the power of collaboration, community engagement, and the belief that everyone deserves access to nutritious food and quality care.
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