Elevance Health Foundation announced it has awarded 22 new grants totaling more than $2.3 million to expand food-as-medicine programs across the United States, supporting nonprofit organizations working to improve access to nutritious food and advance clinical outcomes for individuals and families facing food and nutrition insecurity.
The funding is part of the Foundation’s broader five-year, $150 million commitment to addressing the physical, behavioral, and social needs of under-resourced communities. The new grants aim to help organizations integrate food-based interventions into care models, particularly for individuals living with diet-related chronic conditions.
According to recent data cited by the Foundation, one in seven households, or nearly 48 million Americans, experience food insecurity, limiting access to affordable and nutritious foods. Individuals who are food insecure also face nearly $2,000 higher annual health care costs on average compared to those who are food secure, largely due to a higher prevalence of diet-related chronic conditions.
The 22 grantees will implement programs designed to reduce food and nutrition insecurity, improve clinical outcomes for individuals at high social risk, and promote long-term health and stability within their communities.
Since 2021, the Foundation has invested $30 million in more than 50 nonprofit partners focused on food-as-medicine initiatives, with a strong emphasis on clinical outcomes. Over the previous three-year grant cycle, nearly 75% of eligible participants reported improvements in overall health, and nearly 80% reduced hospital or emergency room admissions. Programs reached more than 1.8 million individuals and provided more than three million meals. Nearly 75% of participants reported reduced food insecurity, while more than 95% reported increased access to nutritious foods.
The following organizations will receive new grants to launch or expand their food-as-medicine programs: Augusta Locally Grown; Brighter Bites; Clinic by the Bay; Feeding America Tampa Bay, Inc.; Food & Friends, Inc.; ForKids, Inc.; Friends of Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital; Greater Richmond Fit4Kids; HATCH for Hunger; Hunger Task Force, Inc.; LifeCare Alliance; Los Angeles Regional Food Bank; Martin Luther King Jr. Community Health Foundation; Morris Heights Health Center; Neighborhood Health Clinic, Inc.; Nevada Diabetes Association for Children and Adults, Inc.; SERVE, Inc.; The University of North Florida Foundation, Inc.; United Way of Southern Nevada; Urban Roots Garden Classrooms; Virginia Foundation for Community College Education; and Wholesome Wave Georgia, Inc.
Elevance Health Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Elevance Health Inc. The Foundation focuses on improving the health of socially vulnerable populations through partnerships and programs centered on maternal-infant health, behavioral health, and food as medicine, aligning with Elevance Health’s broader mission to improve the health of humanity.
KEY QUOTES
“Food and nutrition play a critical role in health outcomes, yet too many individuals and families lack consistent access to the nutritious foods they need to thrive. These new grants will support organizations that are integrating food into care in practical, community-driven ways. By investing in food as medicine, we are helping address a critical social driver of health while supporting better health outcomes over time.”
Dr. Shantanu Agrawal, Chief Health Officer, Elevance Health
“Food as medicine is about more than food alone — it’s about dignity, access, and whole-person health. The support from Elevance Health Foundation has allowed us to serve our most vulnerable neighbors by home-delivering Medically Tailored Meals, Medically Tailored Groceries, and Medical Nutrition Therapy. This partnership is making a meaningful difference in the lives of our clients, improving health outcomes, and contributing positively to the communities we serve.”
Carrie Stoltzfus, CEO, Food & Friends
