Expanding Food as Medicine to Strengthen Community Health Nationwide
Elevance Health Foundation has announced a major expansion of its Food as Medicine work, awarding 22 new grants totaling more than $2.3 million to nonprofit organizations across the United States. These grants are designed to improve access to nutritious food while advancing clinical outcomes for individuals and families facing food and nutrition insecurity, particularly those living with diet-related chronic conditions. The new awards represent the latest phase of the Foundation’s long-term strategy to address the physical, behavioral, and social factors that shape health outcomes in under-resourced communities.
Addressing a Growing Food Insecurity Challenge
Food insecurity continues to be a pressing public health issue in the United States. Recent data indicates that one in seven households—nearly 48 million Americans—struggle with consistent access to affordable, nutritious food. This lack of access does not only affect daily nutrition; it has far-reaching consequences for overall health, well-being, and economic stability. Individuals experiencing food insecurity are more likely to develop diet-related chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension, which in turn contribute to higher health care utilization and costs.
Studies show that people who are food insecure incur nearly $2,000 more in health care costs each year than those who are food secure. These higher costs are largely driven by increased hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and complications associated with unmanaged chronic diseases. By supporting Food as Medicine programs, the Foundation aims to intervene upstream—addressing nutrition as a core component of health care and reducing preventable strain on the health system.
A Five-Year Commitment to Whole-Person Health
The latest round of grants is part of the Foundation’s broader five-year, $150 million commitment to advancing health equity by addressing physical, behavioral, and social needs. Food and nutrition are central pillars of this approach, as they intersect with nearly every aspect of health. By embedding food access and nutrition support into care delivery models, the Foundation seeks to create sustainable improvements in health outcomes rather than short-term relief.
Since 2021, the Foundation has invested $30 million in Food as Medicine initiatives, partnering with more than 50 nonprofit organizations nationwide. These partnerships prioritize programs that demonstrate measurable clinical outcomes, community engagement, and long-term impact. The newly selected grantees will build on this foundation by implementing evidence-based interventions tailored to the specific needs of their communities.
Integrating Food Into Care Models
The 22 newly funded organizations will implement a range of Food as Medicine interventions, including medically tailored meals, medically tailored groceries, produce prescription programs, nutrition education, and medical nutrition therapy. These initiatives are designed to reduce food and nutrition insecurity while directly supporting individuals at high social and medical risk.
By integrating food into health care delivery, these programs help bridge the gap between clinical care and everyday living conditions. Participants are not only gaining access to healthier foods but also receiving guidance on how nutrition can support disease management, recovery, and long-term wellness. This integrated approach recognizes food as a critical social driver of health rather than a separate or secondary concern.
Evidence of Impact From Previous Grant Cycles
The Foundation’s prior investments in Food as Medicine have produced measurable and meaningful results. Outcomes from the previous three-year grant cycle highlight the effectiveness of these interventions:
Nearly 75% of eligible program participants reported improvements in their overall health.
Almost 80% of participants reduced hospital or emergency room admissions, indicating better disease management and fewer acute health crises.
Programs reached more than 1.8 million individuals and provided over three million meals nationwide.
Approximately 75% of participants reported reduced food insecurity, while more than 95% experienced increased access to nutritious foods.
These results underscore the role that targeted nutrition support can play in improving health outcomes, lowering health care utilization, and enhancing quality of life for individuals and families.
Leadership Perspective on Food as Medicine
Dr. Shantanu Agrawal, Chief Health Officer at Elevance Health, emphasized the importance of nutrition in shaping health outcomes. He noted that while food and nutrition are fundamental to well-being, too many people lack reliable access to the nutritious foods they need. According to Dr. Agrawal, the newly awarded grants support organizations that are integrating food into care in practical, community-driven ways.Elevance By investing in Food as Medicine, the Foundation is addressing a critical social driver of health while supporting better outcomes over time.
This perspective reflects a growing recognition across the health sector that sustainable improvements in population health require addressing social and environmental factors alongside traditional medical care.
Partner Voices Highlight Community Impact
Nonprofit partners supported by the Foundation have also highlighted the transformative effect of Food as Medicine initiatives. Carrie Stoltzfus, CEO of Food & Friends, described Food as Medicine as an approach rooted in dignity, access, and whole-person health. She noted that Foundation support has enabled her organization to home-deliver medically tailored meals and groceries, as well as provide medical nutrition therapy to vulnerable individuals. This comprehensive support has improved health outcomes while strengthening the communities served.
Such testimonials reinforce the value of sustained partnerships between funders and community-based organizations that are deeply connected to local needs.
Nationwide Network of New Grantees
The newly awarded grants will support organizations launching or expanding programs in communities across the country. Elevance The grantee network includes Augusta Locally Grown, Brighter Bites, Clinic by the Bay, Feeding America Tampa Bay, Food & Friends, ForKids, Friends of Ste. Elevance Genevieve County Memorial Hospital, Greater Richmond Fit4Kids, HATCH for Hunger, Hunger Task Force, LifeCare Alliance, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Martin Luther King Jr. Community Health Foundation, Morris Heights Health Center, Neighborhood Health Clinic, Nevada Diabetes Association for Children and Adults, SERVE, The University of North Florida Foundation, United Way of Southern Nevada, Urban Roots Garden Classrooms, Virginia Foundation for Community College Education, and Wholesome Wave Georgia.
Together, these organizations represent a diverse mix of food banks, health clinics, educational institutions, and community groups, all united by a shared goal of improving nutrition access and health outcomes.
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