UCSD - University of California - San Diego

03/09/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/09/2026 12:42

UC San Diego Center for Community Health Receives $250,000 Grant to Expand ¡Más Fresco! Plus

Published Date

March 09, 2026

Article Content

The University of California San Diego Center for Community Health (CCH) received a $250,000 grant to expand ¡Más Fresco! Plus, an innovative produce prescription program that delivers farm-fresh produce boxes directly to the homes of San Diego County residents experiencing food insecurity and diet-related chronic disease.

"The grant from San Diego Foundation Unity Fund comes at a pivotal moment as federal funding reductions continue to strain local safety-net programs and increase food insecurity across the region," said Blanca Melendrez, executive director of CCH. "The grant will allow us to broaden the reach of ¡Más Fresco! Plus, ensuring more families have consistent access to fresh, nutritious foods that support improved health outcomes and long-term well-being."

Expanding a Proven Produce Prescription Model

Launched in 2022, with initial funding from the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, ¡Más Fresco! Plus is a community-driven nutrition incentive program implemented by CCH within UC San Diego's Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute. Members of the San Diego community experiencing health disparities, including food insecurity and diet-related chronic disease are referred by trusted community-based organizations and health clinics to receive home-delivered boxes of locally grown fruits and vegetables. The program operates in collaboration with community-based organizations, the Childhood Obesity Initiative Community Council and the American Heart Association.

Impact to Date

¡Más Fresco! Plus has demonstrated meaningful impact at various levels, including:

  • Approximately 3,500 households served across San Diego County.
  • Approximately $1.9 million in allocated nutrition funding.
  • More than 52,000 produce boxes delivered.
  • Nearly 90% of participants report improved access to fruits and vegetables and over 90% report eating more fruits and vegetables after enrolling.
  • Nearly $4 million in total economic impact, supporting local farmers, food hubs and community-based organizations.
"The grant from the San Diego Foundation Unity Fund comes at a pivotal moment as federal funding reductions continue to strain local safety-net programs and increase food insecurity across the region. The grant will allow us to broaden the reach of ¡Más Fresco! Plus, ensuring more families have consistent access to fresh, nutritious foods that support improved health outcomes and long-term well-being." - Blanca Melendrez, executive director of UC San Diego Center for Community Health

"Programs like ¡Más Fresco! Plus demonstrate what's possible when healthcare, community organizations and local agriculture work together," said Joe Prickitt, who oversees the Food as Medicine unit at CCH. "Participants consistently report reduced stress related to food access, improved dietary habits and a greater sense of dignity in meeting their families' nutritional needs."

This grant was made possible by the San Diego Unity Fund at San Diego Foundation. San Diego Foundation inspires enduring philanthropy and enables community solutions to improve the quality of life in our region.

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