Post-partum is a difficult time for new mothers, who face new responsibilities, including nourishing themselves and their babies. For many, time and access to proper nutrition are significant challenges.
This Mother’s Day, we are reflecting on how we take care of those who take care of us. Through our Medically Tailored Meals program with Ascencion Seton, taking care of mothers means more than just a delivery. It’s a promise of time and nourishment.
Food Is the Best Medicine
The Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB) began to partner with Ascencion Seton’s Food is the Best Medicine (FIBM) program in 2025, which allows us to provide nutrient-rich food to postpartum mothers and their newborns, alleviating food insecurity, improving diet quality, and improving maternal and newborn health. Patients are enrolled in the program prior to discharge after giving birth, ensuring immediate access to support during the postpartum period.
Yasmin, a new mother, experienced struggles with mental health after giving birth.
“After my baby was born, I got postpartum depression. I could no longer fall asleep. I was sleepless,” she said. “All the stress and anxiety complicated everything for me. I tried to see the bright side of things, and I felt grateful every time they sent me the box. They sent me a lot of vegetables and fruit. I was eating them a lot, and I started to like it.”
The program provides a comprehensive package of nutritious food, including weekly prepared meals, meal kits, and fresh produce and pantry staples provided by Farmshare Austin. Meals are delivered directly to families’ homes, improving access during a time when mobility and capacity may be limited.
The Impact of a Healthy Meal
For Yasmin, these deliveries gave her back time to spend with her baby and brought her out of her postpartum depression.
“The food was very healthy. I felt more energetic and in a better mood. I opened each box with great enthusiasm, knowing that nutritious food was on the way. And that helped my baby, too.”
As she recovered, Yasmin didn't just eat the meals; she made them her own, adding her own personal touches to the fresh ingredients provided. It was a small but significant way to reclaim her routine and find joy in the kitchen again.
Stories like Yasmin’s are why the partnership between CTFB, Ascension Seton, Farmshare, and the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living is so vital. By treating nutrition as a core component of medical recovery, we are improving long-term health outcomes for both mothers and newborns across Central Texas.
This Mother’s Day, let’s ensure we continue to support those who nurture our communities. Donate today and help Central Texas mothers and babies access the nutritious meals they deserve. Every contribution makes a difference — join us in making tomorrow possible for families like Yasmin’s.
