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.

Food Pharmacy Summary for Potential Partners

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