Food Pharmacy: A Prescription for Healthy Food
We believe that food is medicine. Nutritious food can help prevent and manage diet-related diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease.
Chronically ill patients living on a low income face many barriers to healthy eating. They may not have the time or transportation to secure the food they need. And they may not be able to pay for healthy foods, medicine and other care, and other expenses.
Driven by this knowledge and by our commitment to serving clients, the Food Bank partners with several health care organizations. Because we never want patients to choose between good food and medical care.
In 2019 we created an in-clinic food pantry program called Food Pharmacy. Clinicians refer patients to the service. While they are getting medical care, patients with chronic health conditions who are food insecure receive foods that meet their nutritional needs. In addition to food, patients receive nutrition education and a referral to more community food resources.
Current Food Pharmacy locations
- Augusta Health Clinics and Locations:
- Diabetes and Endocrinology Clinic
- Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Clinic
- Waynesboro Urgent Care
- Staunton Medical Associates
- Churchville Family Practice
- Lexington Primary Care
- Maury River Family Practice
- Verona Family Practice
- Buena Vista Practice
- Blue Ridge Free Clinic (Harrisonburg)
- Free Clinic of Central Virginia
- Healthy Communities Health Center – Care Management
- Healthy Communities Health Center – Stone Port
- UVA Kidney and Dialysis Locations:
- Kidney Center – Charlottesville
- Orange Dialysis Clinic
- Zion Crossroads Dialysis Clinic
- Lynchburg Dialysis Clinic
- Amherst Dialysis Clinic
- Altavista Dialysis Clinic
We thank these program funders (FY23)
- Sentara Healthcare
- Perrigo Company
