The Access to Food is Medicine for All (AFMA) Lab is dedicated to identifying and implementing community-led, participant-centered strategies to improve health equity by addressing food insecurity and other non-medical health conditions. Our lab focuses on integrating these approaches within healthcare teams, leveraging the unique expertise of community health workers, navigators, and other partners.

We prioritize academic-community partnerships, working collaboratively with local governments, healthcare systems, and grassroots organizations to co-create sustainable solutions that address systemic barriers to health. Using Implementation Science frameworks, we design, evaluate, and scale programs to ensure real-world effectiveness and impact.

Our Focus

  • Centering Communities: Collaborating with community members and stakeholders to co-design interventions that reflect local needs and strengths.
  • Empowering Teams: Training and integrating diverse healthcare team members, such as community health workers and navigators, to support holistic care delivery.
  • Innovative Partnerships: Partnering with local governments, healthcare systems, and non-profits to create meaningful, scalable solutions.
  • Rigorous Evaluation: Applying Implementation Science principles to assess program impact and guide sustainable implementation.

Current Projects

Fresh Food Rx

A community-informed and participant-centered produce prescription program designed to address food insecurity and improve chronic disease outcomes. This initiative is guided by Implementation Science principles to ensure scalability and long-term success.

Integration of Community Health Workers in Academic Medical Centers

This project evaluates the training, integration, and impact of community health workers in delivering patient-centered care within academic medical centers, focusing on addressing non-medical health needs.

This lab has received funding from the US Department of Agriculture, the Duke Endowment, and the Kate B. Reynolds Foundation.

Recent Publications

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Zimmer, R, Strahley; A, Weiss, J, McNeill, S, McBride, A, Best, S, Harrison, D, Montez, K. Exploring Perceptions of a Fresh Food Prescription Program during COVID-19. 2022 Oct; 10;17(19):10725.

Journal of Nutrition in Gerontology and Geriatrics. Zimmer, Rachel P.; Moore, Justin B.; Yang, Mia; Evans, Joni; Best, Scott; McNeill, Sheena; Harrison, David; Martin, Heather; and Montez, Kimberly. Strategies and Lessons Learned from a Home Delivery Food Prescription Program for Older Adults. 2022 Jun; 14; :1-18.

North Carolina Medical Journal. Zimmer, R, Hanchate, A, Palakshappa, D, Aguilar, A, Wiseman, K, Crotts, C, Abdelfattah, L, McNeill, S, Sosaita, D, and Montez, K. Perceptions of North Carolina's Medicaid Transformation: A Qualitative Study. 2023 Jul; 17; 84(6)