Health and nutrition go hand in hand—but for many Virginians, accessing fresh, nutritious food isn’t always simple. That’s where the Food Pharmacy Program, led by the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, makes a difference.
In partnership with local health systems, Food Pharmacies are set up inside clinics and hospitals. When a clinician identifies a patient facing food insecurity—especially someone managing conditions like diabetes or heart disease—they can provide a supply of healthy groceries right then and there.
Patients get a trusted referral without an extra trip, and clinicians can be confident that they have an immediate solution to an identified need. Eligible patients can revisit the Food Pharmacy to keep up with a medically-tailored diet, nutrition education, and budget-friendly service referrals. The Food Pharmacy even works with home healthcare providers, too.
Food Pharmacy is one more way that Virginia’s food banks ensure people facing hunger can find the right food, in the right place, at the right time. Food Pharmacy drives better health, lowers costs, and prevents hospital readmissions. With the Food Pharmacy Program, nutritious meals become part of the prescription for better health, giving patients the support they need to heal, thrive, and live well.
2024 Impact at a Glance
healthcare locations offer free medically-tailored groceries on-site
patients served each month
%
Food Pharmacy Spotlight: “A Lifeline for This Family”
At Mount Rogers Community Services in Southwest Virginia, a dedicated clinician cares for an elderly grandparent raising their teenage grandchild. Living in a remote area on a fixed retirement income, food insecurity is a constant challenge for their family.
Through the Food Pharmacy program with Feeding Southwest Virginia, the clinic provides 110 medically tailored food boxes each month, ensuring families like theirs have access to nutritious meals. “The healthy food boxes have been a lifeline for this family,” the clinician shared. “They help stretch their budget when unexpected expenses, like a broken water heater, arise. Without them, they’d have no other options.”
Beyond providing food, the program has empowered the teen to learn how to cook, turning essential ingredients into homemade meals. “Learning to prepare meals has given the teen a sense of pride and a valuable life skill,” the clinician explained. With support from the Food Pharmacy, this family has found stability, health, and hope for a brighter future ahead.
The Farm at Augusta Health, a Food Pharmacy Partner
Food Pharmacy in the News
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