Food Pharmacy: Food Is Medicine

Food is medicine: Nutritious food can help neighbors 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.

Because we never want patients to choose between good food and medical care, we have partnered with several health care organizations to host 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.

Are you a clinic or hospital interested in learning more about how to get involved? Click the link to our summary!

Food Pharmacy Summary for Potential Partners

Food Pharmacy locations

• Augusta Health clinics and locations:
  • Augusta Health Food Pantry
  • Buena Vista Practice
  • Churchville Family Practice
  • Community Clinics
  • Harrisonburg Primary Care
  • Maury River Family Practice
  • Staunton Medical Associates
  • Verona Family Practice
  • Waynesboro Urgent Care
  • Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Clinic
• Blue Ridge Free Clinic (Harrisonburg)
• Blue Ridge Medical Center
• Free Clinic of Central Virginia
• Free Clinic of Culpeper
• Healthy Communities Health Center – Stone Port
• Johnson Health Center, Amherst
• Orange County Free Clinic
• Sentara Martha Jefferson Community Health and Outreach Center
• UVA Kidney and Dialysis locations:
  • Amherst Dialysis Clinic
  • Altavista Dialysis Clinic
  • Appomattox Dialysis Clinic
  • Augusta Dialysis Clinic
  • Culpeper Dialysis Clinic
  • Kidney Center – Charlottesville
  • Lynchburg Dialysis Clinic
  • Orange Dialysis Clinic
  • Page Dialysis Clinic
  • Staunton Dialysis Clinic
  • Zion Crossroads Dialysis Clinic

This is just one of many programs the Food Bank operates across the Blue Ridge: Learn more about our programs.