Supporting Neighbor Health Through FoodRx

The North Texas Food Bank initiative is connecting patients with access to nutritious food.

Nutritious food choices lead to healthier lives. However, we know that many of our neighbors—including those with chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease—lack access to the types of food that will support their long-term health.

That’s where the North Texas Food Bank’s FoodRx program comes in.

“The correlation of food insecurity and illness is so high, and the need for food is so great,” says Natalie Markham, the Strategic Initiatives Manager who is over the program. “It’s really about supporting the health journey of these patients.”

Through the initiative, NTFB partners with medical clinics that are screening patients for food insecurity. Those identified as facing hunger are provided with shelf-stable food at their appointment to address their immediate need. They’re also eligible for a referral, or food prescription, to a partner pantry acting as a Food Pharmacy.

There, they not only gain regular access to fresh produce and nutritious groceries, but they also have the chance to connect with staff at the pantry, and in some cases, can participate in wellness education or other wraparound services.

NTFB’s first partner Food Pharmacy, Local Good Center, exemplifies this model. The Local Good Market, an NTFB partner, is stocked with a variety of fresh produce, protein and other nutritious options. They also have a kitchen that hosts classes and hands-on learning experiences to help neighbors learn how to prepare healthy items at home. And they offer preventative health programming that includes screenings, exercise programs, classes and other offerings.

“We love their model because it helps people plug into community,” Natalie says.

One neighbor who was referred there because of diabetes let them know she wasn’t selecting certain vegetables because she didn’t have a refrigerator. The staff at Local Good Center connected with another nonprofit they know and are working with them to provide her with one. It’s those types of connections that are only possible when relationships are being built, Natalie says.

“If you don’t have cold storage, it’s almost impossible to manage those diseases,” she says.

Patients living with diabetes or heart disease are a large proportion of those being referred to the pantry as FoodRx begins. However, Natalie says, as they plan for expansion, they’re looking at partners that would focus on women’s prenatal and postpartum health, cancer patients, those on dialysis and others, which aligns with Feeding Texas’ priorities.

Along with referrals for food access, FoodRx also provides patients with the option of being referred for assistance with a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamps, application. For those who qualify, SNAP is also a critical piece to consistent access to nutritious food because for every one meal the NTFB can provide, SNAP can provide access to nine.

Natalie says FoodRx is a program they expect will continue growing, particularly as healthcare providers look to focus on nonmedical drivers of health, including nutritious food.