Food as Medicine Program Shows Strong Local Health Gains, Backed by National Report
Hiawatha, Iowa (July 8, 2026) — As Feeding America releases the Food as Medicine 3.0 (FAM3) Cumulative Report, the largest national evaluation of Food as Medicine programs to date, HACAP Food Reservoir is highlighting the strong local results of its own Food as Medicine initiative, launched in 2021 and now serving patients across East Central Iowa.
The national report, funded by the Wellpoint Foundation and evaluated by the Center for Nutrition & Health Impact, screened more than 1.45 million patients for food insecurity and connected 161,000 households to Food as Medicine programs across 13 states. Findings show that consistent access to nutritious food through food bank–health care partnerships improves nutrition, strengthens health management, and reduces costly health care encounters.
Local Impact: HACAP’s Food as Medicine Program Expands to 30 Clinic Partners
In East Central Iowa, HACAP Food Reservoir has rapidly scaled its Food as Medicine program to 30 clinic partners, providing shelf‑stable, nutrient‑dense food boxes directly to health care sites. Clinics distribute these boxes to patients during appointments, ensuring that individuals facing food insecurity receive medically supportive foods at the moment they discuss their health needs.
“HACAP’s Food as Medicine program is meeting people exactly where they are, during critical health care visits,” said Food Reservoir Director Aron Brecht.
“I live alone and my treatments wiped me out. I am grateful for the HACAP box filled with healthy options I could manage. It reduced my stress and helped me stretch my limited budget. I truly believe it played a role in my recovery.” — HACAP Food Reservoir Neighbor
“When I was going through chemo, I had no energy to cook or shop. The HACAP food box gave me easy‑to‑prepare meals that kept me nourished. It wasn’t just food, it was a reminder that someone cared.” — HACAP Food Reservoir Neighbor
These stories reflect the broader national findings: medically supportive food helps stabilize households, reduce anxiety, and improve the ability to follow treatment plans.
National Findings Mirror Local Success
Across the FAM3 initiative, Feeding America’s evaluation found:
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Hospitalizations decreased by 14%
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Emergency department visits fell by 11%
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Food security increased by nearly 7 percentage points (a 47% relative increase)
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Participants reported better general health, fewer missed appointments, and improved ability to afford medications
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Clinical measures, including HbA1c, BMI, and LDL cholesterol—improved, especially for participants who engaged in nutrition education or dietitian sessions
These outcomes reinforce what HACAP sees locally: when nutritious food is integrated into health care, patients are better able to manage chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.
Culturally Relevant, Medically Supportive Food Strengthens Engagement
HACAP’s program emphasizes foods that match families’ tastes, preferences, and medical needs, an approach that increases trust and helps patients stay engaged in their care.
A Growing Movement Connecting Food and Health
The Wellpoint Foundation’s $14.1 million national investment in Food as Medicine programs is fueling a movement that redefines how communities connect food and health. HACAP Food Reservoir is proud to be part of this national effort and to bring evidence‑based, compassionate support to neighbors across East Central Iowa.
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About the Wellpoint Foundation
The Wellpoint Foundation is a philanthropic arm of the Elevance Health Foundation. The Foundation works to improve the health of the socially vulnerable through partnerships and programs in our communities with an emphasis on maternal-infant health; behavioral health; and food as medicine. Additionally, the Foundation also responds to disasters when our communities need us the most. To learn more about the Wellpoint Foundation, please visit elevancehealth.foundation and its blog at medium.com/elevancehealthfoundation.
