We know that a nutritious diet is key to reducing the burden of many chronic diseases, but challenges like high costs and limited access to quality food often stand in the way. That’s why we’re growing our Food+Health initiatives, which bring food directly to patients where they receive care.
In partnership with Unity Health Care, we’ve launched a new food pharmacy at Unity’s East of the River Health Center in D.C.’s Ward 7. This food pharmacy is designed to provide patients—especially older adults managing conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity—with nutritious, medically tailored groceries to support their health.
Patients who screen for food insecurity at the clinic receive a “prescription” for the pharmacy, allowing them to pick up around 40 pounds of food twice a month — free of charge. They receive both shelf-stable foods and fresh produce, focusing on low sugar, high fiber, and nutrient-rich options. These groceries are specifically chosen to support the health of patients who have chronic conditions.
Data from our Hunger Report shows that those facing food insecurity are twice as likely to experience diet-related illnesses that impact their daily lives, compared to those who are not food insecure. Combining food with medical care can be an especially powerful way to support ongoing wellness.
The new food pharmacy is made possible with generous support from The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation. It’s one of two locations planned in partnership with Unity Health Care, with a second site to launch within the next year at Unity’s Anacostia clinic. These food pharmacies are expected to reach 500 patients over the next five years.
Through initiatives like this, we are expanding the impact of Food as Medicine. We were honored to have Admiral Rachel Levine, MD, Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), join us during the food pharmacy’s grand opening to highlight the significance of these programs.
Photo credit: Maansi Srivastava