This is Ted Health, a podcast from Ted, and I'm your host, Dr. Shoshana Ungerleiter.

I want to get real for a second.

In America, your chances of living a long, healthy life often depend less on your doctor

and more on your neighborhood.

Public health experts refer to these factors as social determinants of health.

Housing, income, and access to fresh and nutritious food all contribute to a person's overall

well-being. And when entire communities lack access to grocery stores or affordable housing,

you see the consequences, like higher rates of chronic disease, shorter life expectancy,

and the daily stresses to keep a roof over your head or put good food on the table.

For decades, the common solution to address food access and affordability, specifically,

has been the food pantry. It has its limitations. Recipients are presented with mostly donated and near-expired food,

and there's no guarantee of quality or nutrition value. And that model hasn't changed since the

1960s. So what does that mean for today's families? Many would argue that in the long run,

the food pantry doesn't solve the problem. It actually reinforces

it. 2025 Ted Fellow, Dion Dawson, decided to dream differently. As the founder and chief

dreamer of Dion's Chicago Dream, he developed a new approach to helping food insecure households

by providing boxes of wholesome fruits and vegetables to thousands of families every week.

And that food is purchased, not donated. It's a model that challenges the systems we've inherited

and measures success not only in pounds of produce, but also in reduced stress, stronger communities

and the dignity that comes from knowing your health matters.

But before we dive in, a quick break to hear from our sponsors.

And now, 2025 Ted Fellow Dionne Dawson.

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