Get to know Tessa Cushman

Bloomberg Fellow Tessa Cushman leads the Adams County Health Department’s Food Access and Systems program, advancing equitable, sustainable, and just food systems. She develops programs that reflect community voices and needs, fostering a healthier future for her constituents.

Cushman’s passion for public health began in high school when several family members were diagnosed with diabetes. Learning that nearly 1.2 million Americans are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes annually, she saw an opportunity to make a difference. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, she served in the Farm to School AmeriCorps program, which led her to the Tri-County Health Department’s dietetic internship focused on public health nutrition. She then became a registered dietitian and diabetes educator, teaching for two years before transitioning into food systems work.

At Adams County Health Department, Cushman ensures her team remains focused on the impact of food access on public health. “Advancing access to safe, nutritionally adequate, and culturally and religiously appropriate foods is increasingly recognized as a critical focus point for public health policy and intervention,” she notes. “I truly believe that food is a basic human right, and food systems should be transformed to reflect that.”

A 2023 study found that many Coloradans rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC),  with residents just above the income threshold for these programs facing the highest rates of food insecurity in the state.

In response, they increased their focus on local food access initiatives, including a food access farmers market. Based on community feedback, their food vouchers have reduced food insecurity rates for 35% of survey respondents, increased fruit and vegetable consumption for 83%, and helped 98% save money for other essentials.

Cushman joined the Bloomberg Fellowship in 2022 to expand her skills and network. Through the fellowship, she has collaborated with national experts, applied insights from Milwaukee’s food policy council, shared her farmers market model with an East Coast health department, and partnered with Boulder Public Health to launch a two-county produce prescription program, which allows individuals across two counties to receive "prescriptions" for fresh fruits and vegetables, allowing them to receive medically-tailored farm fresh food boxes delivered to their doorstep. 

Looking ahead, she remains committed to driving community-led change for a more equitable and resilient food system.