In honor of National Nutrition Month®, Feeding America is championing the vital link between access to healthy food and long-term health and well-being for neighbors facing hunger. This commitment comes to life through the organization’s “Food as Medicine” program, an initiative funded by Elevance Health Foundation that uses nutrition as a powerful tool to manage chronic illnesses and strengthen communities.
“We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to lead a full, healthy life, but our neighbors have told us that it is not possible to focus on healthy eating when you are worried about how to put food on the table,” said Melanie Hall, chief health, research, and evaluation officer at Feeding America and registered dietitian nutritionist. “Our ‘Food as Medicine’ program goes beyond nutrition; it’s about meeting people where they are with the support they deserve. By connecting our neighbors with fresh, nourishing food, we are supporting them as they take charge of their own health.”
48 million people in the United States are without consistent access to enough food to live a healthy life, and families are facing impossible trade-offs between food, health care and other basic needs. This reality highlights an opportunity to ensure everyone has access to nutritious food, as nearly 70% of people facing hunger say they are navigating economic barriers that keep healthy choices out of reach, emphasizing the need for integrated solutions that connect affordability, access, and care.
The work is driven by a $14.1 million investment from Elevance Health Foundation, whose partnership helps connect food, dignity and wellness in the health care setting. Together, the organizations have grown the “Food as Medicine” program to include 21 food banks and more than 30 health care partners across the country. The network is further strengthened by 50 registered dietitians and more than 200 dedicated nutrition staff supporting food and health work.
By integrating support into medical visits, the program meets people where they are. During routine checkups, people can connect with health care professionals for direct referrals to food banks, offering a path to wellness.
These local programs provide:
- Choice and dignity: Access to dietitian-designed, culturally relevant foods that match personal tastes and medical needs.
- Improved health through food: Medically tailored options for those managing chronic illnesses.
- Supportive connections: A network of experts dedicated to helping people remove barriers and improve overall health.
The success of the program is rooted in the insights of neighbors, whose voices ensure programs highlight the real-world impact of nutrition on health, stability, and hope.
“I was at my doctor’s office and saw a flyer for a food bank program that was teaching people how to eat healthy and on a budget,” said Kaycee, a neighbor who participated in the program. “I thought, ‘wow, that really rings true to my situation since I have high blood pressure and high cholesterol and am on a budget. [Through the program] I've learned how to use whole foods and learned different options instead of processed foods, it's been really helpful.”
To learn more about Feeding America’s food and health work and Elevance Health Foundation’s partnership, visit feedingamerica.org.
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About Feeding America
Rooted in the voices of neighbors facing hunger, Feeding America unites the country ensuring everyone has access to food and a thriving future. We support tens of millions of people as part of a nationwide network of 250+ food banks, 20+ statewide food bank associations, 10+ regional co-ops and 60,000+ agency partners, food pantries and meal programs. Powered by leaders and volunteers embedded in local communities, we are one of the nation’s most effective food distribution systems driving immediate impact today—and a catalyst for long-term change through advocating for legislation that improves food security and work to address its factors. We partner with people experiencing food insecurity, policymakers, organizations and supporters united with the unwavering commitment to provide nourishing food and work to end hunger at its roots so everyone can live fuller, healthier lives. Visit FeedingAmerica.org to learn more.
About Elevance Health Foundation
Elevance Health Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Elevance Health Inc. The Foundation works to improve the health of the socially vulnerable through partnerships and programs in our communities with an emphasis on maternal-infant health; behavioral health; and food as medicine. Through its key areas of focus, the Foundation also strategically aligns with Elevance Health’s focus on community health and becoming a lifetime, trusted health partner that is fueled by its purpose to improve the health of humanity. To learn more about Elevance Health Foundation, please visit www.elevancehealth.foundation or follow us @ElevanceFND on X and Elevance Health Foundation on Facebook.