The 1889 Jefferson Center for Population Health approached us saying that the diabetes epidemic is more prevalent than ever before in Western Pennsylvania, specifically Cambria and Somerset counties. We created a system to help empower these residents to improve their quality of life through educating about healthy eating habits, collaborating with local farmers, and creating a sense of community.

The area is rich in agriculture but has many food deserts, so we proposed Farm to Fridge—a mobile produce truck that takes produce from farms in the area and brings it straight to the people of Cambria and Somerset counties. The deliverables include a monthly publication that helps residents with portion control and healthy recipes. Residents also receive a starter kit with tools for cooking and a calendar that houses information about fresh food. Residents can connect with the mobile market through an app that notifies them when the truck is coming and what is in it that week.

We began by researching more about diabetes and Western Pennsylvania. The client talked to us about Johnstown, PA and gave us insight into the daily life there. We determined that there were three major themes that were pivotal in impacting the people—community, leisure activities, and food. These themes are important gateways to connecting with the people and we considered each throughout the process.

Also in the beginning stages of the project, we partnered with third-year pharmacy students in a diabetes immersion class at Thomas Jefferson University. They taught us more about diabetes and how it affects the every day life of individuals living with the disease. We participated in a design-thinking workshop to brainstorm ideas and methods that prevent and manage diabetes.

Ultimately, the interprofessional interaction helped us to hone in on a design opportunity—designing a system that encourages healthy eating habits through local produce.

We began sketching logos, publication layouts, possible illustrations, and app wireframes. We scrapped some, kept some, and moved forward by digitizing the ones we felt were most appropriate.

We refined our ideas and designs based on feedback from a check-in and a mid-semester critique with the client. This is when it became apparent that we needed Farm to Fridge to appeal to the whole family in order to make the most impact. We were also encouraged to incorporate the local farmers within our imagery to reinforce the partnership that Farm to Fridge has with them.

This project placed among the 2019 Top Talent of the Adobe Design Achievement Awards. (:

Client: 1889 Jefferson Center for Population Health, Johnstown, PA

Creative Team: Eryn Griffin, Patrice Sakalosky, Abbey Pitzer

Art Direction: Frank Baseman

Advisors: Dr. Trina Thompson, Dr. Amy Egras, Dr. Renata Schiavo

Client Coordinator: Beth Shirrell

To read more about this industry-sponsored project from JeffersonToday, click here​​​​​​​

Thanks!