CHICAGO — Access to nutritious food is doing more than easing hunger—it is helping people live healthier lives.
A newly released evaluation from Feeding America found that a three-year Food as Medicine initiative significantly improved health outcomes for thousands of households experiencing food insecurity, providing some of the strongest evidence yet that nutrition can play a vital role in healthcare. Conducted in partnership with the Elevance Health Foundation and evaluated by the Center for Nutrition & Health Impact, the initiative connected more than 161,000 households in 13 states with healthy food while strengthening collaboration between food banks and healthcare providers.
The evaluation screened more than 1.45 million patients for food insecurity and connected eligible individuals with local food banks and nutrition resources. Participants who consistently received nutritious food reported a 14 percent reduction in hospitalizations and an 11 percent decrease in emergency department visits, underscoring the impact that reliable access to healthy food can have on overall well-being.
The findings reinforce a growing movement known as “Food as Medicine,” which recognizes nutritious food as an essential component of preventing and managing chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. Rather than viewing hunger solely as a social issue, healthcare providers increasingly recognize food insecurity as a significant factor influencing patient health and healthcare costs.
Throughout the three-year initiative, healthcare organizations partnered with local Feeding America network food banks to identify patients experiencing food insecurity and connect them with fresh produce, nutritious groceries, and supportive services designed to improve long-term health. The evaluation found that these coordinated efforts strengthened food security while helping participants better manage chronic health conditions.
The report represents one of the nation’s largest evaluations of community-based Food as Medicine programs and provides new evidence supporting stronger partnerships between healthcare systems and hunger-relief organizations. As policymakers, hospitals, insurers, and nonprofit organizations continue exploring innovative approaches to improving public health, the findings offer measurable proof that investing in nutrition can benefit both patients and communities.
For millions of Americans, food insecurity remains an everyday challenge that affects far more than the dinner table. Limited access to healthy food is associated with higher rates of chronic illness, increased healthcare utilization, and poorer overall health outcomes. Programs that address these barriers help families focus not only on meeting immediate nutritional needs but also on building healthier futures.
Feeding America said the evaluation offers a roadmap for expanding Food as Medicine initiatives nationwide by strengthening partnerships among healthcare providers, food banks, and community organizations. The organization believes integrating nutrition support into healthcare can improve quality of life while reducing avoidable medical costs.
Bruce Petillo, founder of Heartitude, said the report serves as a reminder that compassion often begins with meeting basic human needs.
“Food is one of the simplest expressions of caring for another person. When communities come together to ensure families have access to nutritious meals, they’re not only addressing hunger—they’re restoring dignity, improving health, and creating hope that reaches far beyond the dinner table.”
As communities across the country continue seeking practical ways to improve health and reduce disparities, the evaluation demonstrates that lasting change is often built through collaboration. By connecting healthcare with community-based hunger relief, organizations are showing that caring for people extends beyond treating illness—it includes helping ensure no one has to choose between their health and their next meal.