Project Results

In this study, participants who regularly drank Nosha reported time and financial savings related to their consumption, in addition to improvements in mood, sleep, and physical activity. These findings support our hypothesis that Nosha can be an effective nutritional solution for food-insecure individuals. Nevertheless, limitations in our study's program design and data collection mean the benefits may only apply to a narrow segment of the total food-insecure population. Further studies are needed to determine whether Nosha can truly address food insecurity on a larger scale. 

About This Project

In the United States, hunger is commonplace. 42 million Americans struggle to get the healthy foods they need. We want to find a solution. This study will provide a convenient, nutrient-rich meal called Nosha to food pantry shoppers. The study will assess whether access to Nosha supports food security, protects resources, and contributes to the health of this at-risk population. Our findings may offer a new strategy towards closing America's widening nutrition gap.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

One in seven Americans doesn't have reliable access to the food they need. Some simply can't afford the cost. Others don't have the time to cook. For those living in food deserts, healthy food just isn't within reach.

This food insecurity often leads individuals to consume inexpensive, highly-processed foods that are full of calories but devoid of nutritional value. As a result, they aren't getting the nutrients they need for health. Research consistently finds that food insecurity is associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. It's no wonder that the poorest Americans have a 62% higher risk of death compared to the wealthiest Americans.

The challenge is much bigger than fighting hunger; it's providing all Americans with nourishing food.

What is the significance of this project?

There are plenty of interventions that can alleviate food insecurity. Bringing grocery stores to food deserts, teaching how to shop and cook, and planting vegetable gardens can all help get healthy foods in the hands of those who need them most.

Unfortunately, these programs tend to be resource intensive and difficult to expand. Nosha offers a simpler solution.

Nosha is a nutrient-rich meal of organic vegetables, fruits and seeds. It arrives as a powder, and mixes easily in water, juice or nut milk. Moreover, Nosha can be stored at room temperature and stays fresh for over a year.

Nosha's nutritional benefits and convenience suggest it may be able to serve as a rapidly scalable solution to food insecurity.

What are the goals of the project?

The goal of this pilot study is to determine whether access to Nosha improves the food security of at-risk populations.

We will measure whether drinking Nosha helps visitors of a food pantry save time and money and experience fewer instances of hunger in their household.

We will also assess whether Nosha leads to a shift in dietary patterns, such as consumption of more fruits and vegetables and fewer highly-processed foods.

Finally, we will examine whether Nosha contributes to pantry client's overall health. Body mass index, energy levels, sleep quality and mood will all be quantified throughout the study.

These measures will help us be able to assess to what extent Nosha can help alleviate hunger and malnutrition in America.