A new national report from Feeding America® spotlights Houston Food Bank as one many food banks across the country delivering innovative solutions at the intersection of hunger and health through their “Food as Medicine” program. The three-year initiative, made possible by a $14.1 million grant from Elevance Health Foundation, supports local partnerships between food banks and over 30 healthcare providers across the country to improve access to nutritious food for people managing chronic health conditions.

Launched locally in 2015 and in partnership with Harris Health, San Jose Clinic and other healthcare clinics and providers, Houston Food Bank’s “Food as Medicine” program follows Feeding America’s screen – refer – nourish model that connects individuals in Harris County and other HFB’s service area, identified as food insecure during healthcare visits with access to nutritious, medically tailored food and wraparound services.

Since launching, the program in partnership with Harris Health and San Jose Clinic has:

• Reached 2,170 participants
• Enrolled 1,354 patients into FAM 3 program
• Offered nutrition education and completed SNAP applications and other federal benefit applications
• Supported neighbors in managing conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, high-risk pregnancy, and heart disease

It’s a simple but powerful idea. Healthcare providers screen their patients for food insecurity and for those patients who do screen positive for food insecurity are prescribed nutritious food and education. Brian Greene, President and CEO

Findings from the national report underscore the value of food as a key part of care:

• Over 100,000 neighbors who screened positive for food insecurity received nutritious food from a participating food bank
• Nearly 70% of participants reported a chronic health condition at enrollment
• Participants described improved eating habits, emotional wellbeing, and greater confidence in managing their health
• Clinical outcomes included an average 1.5% reduction in A1C for those managing diabetes

This “Food as Medicine” initiative is one of the largest national efforts to formally integrate food access into health care systems, reflecting a growing recognition among health care providers, policymakers, and community leaders of food’s critical role in health outcomes. The 21 participating food banks have tailored programs to local needs, offering services like onsite food pantries, mobile food distributions, onsite emergency food packages, food prescription voucher programs and home delivery services that support whole-person well-being.

This work builds on a three year grant that has allowed Houston Food Bank to strengthen food bank and healthcare partners relationship to screen and refer neighbors to connect them with food resources, nutrition education, and federal benefits assistance. As the initiative enters its final year, ongoing evaluation will offer valuable insights into long-term health outcomes and help shape future food-based health interventions that advance equity and reduce disparities.

Houston Food Bank is proud to be a part of this innovative initiative and remains committed to advancing food as a tool for dignity, wellness, and long-term community health.

To learn more about Houston Food Bank’s “Food as Medicine” work visit Nutrition and Health and to access the full national report visit www.feedingamerica.org/foodasmedicine2.