FOOD IS MEDICNE PROGRAMS CURRENTLY IN FLORIDA

"Medically Tailored Groceries" is defined by Tufts FiM researchers & PhD's, only chef-quality from Sysco, with community baked in with buddy program and motivating health coach,  start and endline biomarker and survey evaluations, fun nutrition education and cooking classes. Change lifestyles, health rebounds. Living Hungry, Tufts University, UF IFAS EFNEP, Sponsored program of the Health Care District of Palm Beach County. 

Food Pharmacy is Pastor Gerard Duncan's vision of health equity seen through the lens of food is medicine. At the Pleasant Street Civil Rights and Cultural Arts Center injustice stems from food insecurity and moves upstream to cause diet-related disease which disproportionately affects local people of color. The goal is to enable the community to improve their quality of life with "Food as Medicine".  Hypertension, Diabetes and Obesity (HDO) diagnosed patients receive both medical nutrition and belonging from community health worker-led small groups,  individualised health plans, and referrals to cancer screening, dental care, and Medicaid all done in a caring environment and  supported by Amgen to reduce LDL levels.  See More of the Magnificent FiM work in Gainesville! 

   The award-winning Poverello Popup Eat Well Center includes all the grocery items contained in our nutritionist curated healthy meal Plans.  Five Medically Tailored Grocery plan options meet the dietary needs of our clients and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus, Kidney Disease, High Blood Pressure, and other cardiovascular diseases that affect our community and those living with HIV/AIDS.  Poverello is dedicated to honor the dignity of those affected by the HIV/AIDS virus and to serve them with the highest possible degree of understanding, respect, and love. The primary goals in serving our clients are to ease the stress and loneliness caused by the virus, and to their nutritional and other basic living requirements. Providing nutritious food
with understanding, respect and
love for individuals living with
critical and chronic illnesses. 

Funded by  The Humana Foundation, philanthropic arm of Humana Inc. in 2020 Research Published Report on Food Rx reflects a collaboration between Feeding Tampa Bay (FTB), Evara Health (EH),CAFSHC at the University of South Florida (USF).  Food Rx received $25/week vouchers paying for free food pantries at the clinics or  mobile food pantries. 56 patients with Diabetes Type 2, with HbA1C taken 2X,  over 3 months program show  -0.3 points drop from starting point of average 8.4 HbA1C. Range: increase +0.5 points, to drop -1.5 points while only 41 patients completed out of  204 at the program start. 

Access to Fresh powers the NOURISH program—a 12-week culinary medicine pilot providing cancer survivors with biweekly deliveries of fresh produce to support healing through food. Hosted at the Suncoast YMCA, this community-based initiative blends oncology care with hands-on cooking education, empowering participants to take an active role in their recovery through nutritious, chef-guided meals.  

 Access to Fresh 

Fresh Stop has now grown into a community-driven FLEET of specially equipped cargo vans along with a one-of-a-kind box truck designed to operate as a grocery store on wheels. Developed in partnership with the Sprouts Healthy Community Foundation, this innovative vehicle helps Fresh Stop reach even more families, seniors, and residents living in the heart of our region’s food deserts.

Together, these vehicles do more than deliver produce; they bring healthy options, dignity, and connection into underserved communities. By meeting people where they are, the Fresh Stop Mobile Market ensures that fresh, affordable fruits and vegetables are accessible in every corner of Central Florida.

 The Palm Beach County Food Bank's Food and Nutrition Program is a collaborative effort with the Florida Department of Health and PBC Community Services Department to provide individuals with chronic health conditions with access to nutritious food, regular nutrition education, and health screenings, with the goal of improving their health outcomes and promoting healthy living choices.program by the Florida Blue Foundation. 

  Farm to Patient is a produce prescription working with patients  whose doctors advised them to change their diets. Farm to Patient program serves oncology, cardiology, neurology, and pediatric patients that are nutritionally vulnerable. Fresh Rx is committed to buying produce from local family farms that use organic growing practices. Participants receive a free 16- week farm share which allows them to start incorporating more fresh produce into their diet without adding any additional financial pressure. The farm shares typically include microgreens and a seasonal selection of locally grown vegetables. FreshRx works with  physicians, case managers, social workers, and nurse navigators to recommend their patients. 

 EatWell is a grant-funded program by the Florida Blue Foundation. The program was developed with the end goal of increasing fresh produce in communities that experience high food insecurity. Twice per month, participants enrolled in the EatWell program receive produce free of charge at HEBNI's Fresh Stop Market To participate, individuals must receive SNAP/EBT benefits and live in qualifying communities (West Lakes, Holden Heights & Tangelo Park) for EatWell services. To learn more about EatWell please email info@hebninutrition.org.

  "Produce Prescription" is prescribed by a physician to a recipient who has or is at risk of a diet-related disease or condition, such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, cancer, obesity, renal disease, asthma, or dementia, to consume fresh or frozen produce by offering incentives (50% off) for  purchases plus nutrition education and cooking classes. Living Hungry, UF IFAS  EFNEP,  Farmshare, East Coast Farms, C&B Farms, Farmbox RX

   Second Harvest Food Bank in Orlando for launching the first Medically Tailored Meals Pilot this June, 2023 funded by a grant from DaVita Giving Foundation for chronic kidney disease patients.  From patient referrals to the food bank for enrollment to the MTM meals made in Mercy Kitchen and delivered to the home, this pilot is working! FIMC Accelerator Graduate in 2022, The Medically Tailored Meals program aims to help people experiencing food insecurity and managing at least one severe illness improve their health outcomes through food. 

Feeding Tampa Bay is working with health care partners to open food prescription programs with pick ups at University Mall, at WellBuilt Bikes and Designated Groceries on the Go stops 

Healthcare Partners are  James A Haley VA, Tampa, Evara Health

Bay Pines VA Healthcare system, Tampa Family Health Centers, TGH Healthpark

Partnering medical providers screen patients for food insecure and have a co-occurring chronic condition or disease. Patients then receive a prescription to visit the food pharmacy offering fresh produce and appropriate shelf-stable items like whole wheat pasta or low-sodium pasta sauce. Eventually,  include chef-prepared, medically-tailored meals to take home.

FoodRx breaks the barrier to a healthy diet by making nutritious, whole foods more accessible.

The Cultivating Wellness program funded by Florida Blue Foundation  will provide meals, screenings, and care navigation at community spaces such as grocery stores, gardens, parks, and Food as Medicine outreach hubs. Urban Health Partnerships  is a community of changemakers—residents, stakeholders, and organizations—all working together to create vibrant, healthier neighborhoods. Your contribution makes you a Partner for Change, a member of a community that shares your vision for healthier, more accessible environments where everyone thrives.

   The Healthier Together Program helps partner healthcare patients access fresh fruits and vegetables to improve their health. Eligible participants in Volusia, Jacksonville and Alachua Counties receive prescriptions from their healthcare providers, which can be redeemed through the local food bank for fresh produce.
Operating Locations:
•    Feeding Northeast Florida
•    Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
If you want  to join a Healthier Together Program and have questions, contact Stacey@FeedingFlorida.org. 

  Fresh and healthy groceries address nutrition insecurity & greet a physicians' patients at his office on the day of the  Food Pharmacy Pop Up Pantry event hosted by Eat Better Live Better. Coaches create fun nutrition education and cooking experiences with recipes and take-home groceries. Patients see physicians do care and bonds are created between patients and physicans over healthy lifestyle changes. Eat Better Live Better.   

 In partnership with AdventHealth, Access to Fresh has delivered multi-week nutrition and physical activity programs to both youth and seniors—reinforced with weekly produce incentives and hands-on learning in collaboration with UF/IFAS. Building on this foundation, AdventHealth launched an Adolescent Lifestyle Medicine Program and partnered with Access to Fresh to debut the Bounty Bus mobile market, at the Boys and Girls Club in Dade City, a rolling Food is Health experience that blends education, physical activity, and access to fresh, local produce to underserved neighborhoods.

  4Roots Foundation program recieved $200,000 from the Humana Foundation providing nutrition education, plant-forward meals and heart-healthy meals for low-income seniors at risk of food insecurity. Also in partnership with the City of Orlando and 4Roots, West Lakes Partnership assisted over 475 individuals in need during COVID. Feed the Need is provided 220 fresh produce bags and The Farmacy provided 200 meat/eggs boxes for the families of West Lakes. In addition to delivering hot meals, produce boxes, and masks, West Lakes Partnership believes in moving Orlando families and seniors toward food self-sufficiency over the long term. We are proud to work with our community partners to build a better food future!   4Roots is an alliance of community stakeholders investing in a healthy, thriving, sustainable, food system 

  In the wake of the pandemic in March 2020, Pearl’s Pantry was created to provide food to low-income seniors. Since its inception, Pearl’s Pantry has developed into a robust food nutrition program for our seniors with its own case managers and an RDN registered nutritionist providing oversight. We provide deliveries that include two-weeks’ worth of fresh produce, eggs, meats, cheeses and specialized shelf-stable items. In other words, we provide an entire years’ worth of food to each of our seniors, while keeping them healthy and informed throughout the process. Pearl Mae Foundation.  

 The American Heart Association Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast   host a Food Pharmacy  with funding from an AHA Grant to E-Roadmap to feed 26 families in Riveira Beach every two weeks with a healthy set of food delivered to their door. Clients are screened at the Doctor's office at Foundcare or Integrated Healhcare System. 

After 6-months , one client Ms. Johnson reports losing 60 lbs.  Ms. Johnson said she can make 3 to 4 healthy meals for her family of 5 with the food she receives . 

The food pharmacy boxes include fresh produce, whole grains and lean proteins. Families are also provided with free telehealth visits with a registered dietician.

 The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA’s Veggie Van – A Mobile Market Place – meets the needs of individuals and families living in underserved areas of Hillsborough and East Pasco counties. Through the Veggie Van, the Y distributes and sells fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables in communities labeled food deserts.The Veggie Van’s goal is to improve the overall well-being of participants and their families. In addition to providing produce, staff and volunteers provide recipe information and healthy living tips. The Y’s Veggie Van stops in the communities of Tampa Heights, Sulphur Springs, Plant City, Dover, TGH Healthpark in Tampa, Wimauma and Lacoochee.  Community food distributions take place the first and third weeks on every month.  The Veggie Van is generously supported by: Feeding Tampa Bay, Publix Charities, American Heart Association, the USDA NIFA GusNIP $499,999 grant in 2022-2025, , Florida Blue Foundation, Joy McCann Foundation, Tampa General Hospital, Interfaith Social Action Council of Sun City Center and United Way Pasco County. 

 Feeding Tampa Bay received $640,500 from The Humana Foundation in 2020 to give access to food at local clinics via the Food Pharmacy at Community Health Centers of Pineallas (CHCP) will host an onsite food pharmacy (pantry)  at the CHCP clinic and increase access to foods for the neighborhood surround the clinic,  a news release said.  The Food Rx pack in photo brings nutrient-rich foods (canned beans, fruit and vegetables) to food-insecure patients directly at discharge or at the end of an appointment – free of charge at Tampa General Healthpark, Tampa Family Health, Centers, Evara Health,  and Bay Pines VA Healthcare System.

Access to healthy foods (nutrician security) can improve a person’s lifestyle, as well as certain health conditions like diabetes, congestive heart failure, and COPD. 

 Doctors at UF Health Jacksonville were giving low-income patients prescriptions for food, which they picked up from the on-site pharmacy. 

“We’re in our food pharmacy. I oversee our community clinics that take care of people who are primarily in the urban core who face the most disparities in Jacksonville," said Dr. Ross Jones, medical director of community health at UF Health Jacksonville.  

The food pharmacy costs about $250,000 a year to operate, and it's paid through donations from several businesses, including Florida Blue. Unfortunately, Feeding Jacksonville  reports to FL H&NC they have no health outcomes and Hospital staff  report Feeding Jax stopped sending food to the Hospital ending the program.

   Feeding South Florida received $250,000 from The Humana Foundation in 2023  to addressing senior nutrition  and will focus on seniors of color with chronic diabetes and hypertension.  in 2021 Humana Foundation, Aetna and Quantum Foundation funded the Mobile FARMacy to make regular stops at health care clinics, where providers can screen patients for food security and give a “prescription” for food: an appointment at the FARMacy, stationed outside for the individual to visit as they leave the clinic.  

This one-aisle, air-conditioned mobile grocery store is a hybrid of donated items, farmers’ market for-sale items, an educational unit, and Food FARMacy providing prescription produce and other healthy food options with the goal to improve health outcomes of at-risk populations. 

  Feeding Florida  Healthier Together Produce Prescription Program (HTFVRx) won $499,999 from USDA in 2022-2025 . Grant Summary Specific objectives will include fortifying the food bank (FB) healthy food prescription program impact through technical assistance with sourcing, logistics and funding for fresh produce. This initiative will expand access points to community farm-direct locations with fruit and vegetable vouchers, strengthen digital nutrition education opportunities and establish collaborative program milestones across a spectrum of healthcare providers and food access stakeholders in three Florida regions. HTFVRx will create a replicable model design for FB fruit and vegetable prescriptions (FVRx), which will significantly increase the realization of future programs. This is a FY21 meritorious grantee awarded in 2022.