Medically Tailored Meals

Medically Tailored Meals

Houston Food Bank’s Medically Tailored Meals program delivers fresh meals designed by Registered Dietitians to support individuals with serious illnesses and limited mobility.

Why Medically Tailored Meals are important

We know having fresh, healthy, home cooked meals made for an individual’s medical condition can make a huge difference on their health. The Medically Tailored Meals service at the Houston Food Bank does exactly that as well as connecting clients with our Registered Dietitians to provide nutrition education and individualized nutrition goals to provide well rounded care for our clients to help them meet their health goals.

An older couple prepare a meal
A Medically Tailored Meal is packed for shipping.
A black woman enjoys a healthy meal.

Who we serve

We know having fresh, healthy, home cooked meals made for an individual’s medical condition can make a huge difference on their health. The Medically Tailored Meals service at the Houston Food Bank does exactly that as well as connecting clients with our Registered Dietitians to provide nutrition education and individualized nutrition goals to provide well rounded care for our clients to help them meet their health goals.

An older couple prepare a meal
A Medically Tailored Meal is packed for shipping.
A black woman enjoys a healthy meal.

Are Medically Tailored Meals right for you?

Your qualifying healthcare provider will refer you to us based on specific eligibility criteria including certain chronic health conditions such as diabetes and HIV/AIDS, and limited mobility. After eligibility is confirmed you will begin meal service receiving 10 meals per week tailored to your specific nutrition needs.

An older hispanic couple look at paperwork.

How it works

Medically Tailored Meals serves individuals who experience limited mobility or challenges with daily living activities, and who are also managing chronic health conditions such as diabetes and/or HIV/AIDS. The nutritious meals support the health of Medically Tailored Meals clients living with these serious illnesses and will benefit from specifically designed foods for their diagnosis.

A Medically Tailored Meal
A Medically Tailored Meal
A Medically Tailored Meal

Common questions

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Clients are referred by a healthcare provider or plan, which also recommends a menu to support specific conditions like diabetes or HIV/AIDS. Referrals will occur after a partnership has been established.

Icon of a registered dietician making a recommendation.

Houston Food Bank confirms eligibility and conducts a nutrition risk assessment.

Icon of a healthy meal.

A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) completes a comprehensive nutrition assessment and creates a personalized meal and care plan.

Icon of an MTM van making a delivery.

Clients receive a minimum of 10 frozen, nutritionally tailored meals per week, delivered to their home, for 6 months.

MTM logo

The program includes ongoing nutrition education, counseling, and reassessments to ensure meals continue to meet evolving health needs.

Partner with us

Are you a manufacturer, retailer, wholesaler, distributor, logistics company, or local food business? If so, you can donate now by filling out our Food Industry Donation Form. Answer a few questions and we will pick up the product at no cost to you, providing receipts for tax deductions. It’s easy, and can have a tremendous impact on our community!

Food is Medicine Coalition (FIMC) Accreditation

  • In 2024, HFB embarked on a four-year journey toward FIMC accreditation.
  • The purpose of this standard is to ensure that all FIMC agencies providing Medically Tailored Meals deliver the same level of service to their clients and communicate to clients, partners, and policymakers that they can trust us to provide a high-quality Medically Tailored Meals program.
  • Once HFB is audited by FIMC in 2028 and achieves accreditation, we will be able to use the FIMC accreditation seal to designate that we meet this rigorous standard.
  • We are dedicated to providing our neighbors with the highest level of care and service, which is one of the reasons we are undertaking this journey with FIMC.
  • Learn more about FIMC and the accreditation process here.

Our Team

Eloise Westlake, Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist

Eloise

Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist

“Through my work, I have become passionate about our Medically Tailored Meals program because it brings the healing power of nutrition directly to those who need it most. By aligning food with health needs, we’re not just feeding our neighbors, we’re helping them thrive. It’s an honor to be part of a team that’s transforming lives through nutritious food and compassion.”

Jasmynn Lahner, Nutrition and Partnerships Senior Manager

Jasmynn

Nutrition and Partnerships Senior Manager

“I care deeply about the health and dignity of our neighbors. Every day, I’m reminded that real change happens when we come together, when we listen, collaborate, and build trust across communities. Partnerships are at the heart of everything I do. They allow us to expand access to nourishing food and create spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered. This work is personal, and I’m grateful to be part of a mission that centers compassion, equity, and connection.”