Healthcare Solutions

Treating Food Insecurity

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Overview

Revolutionizing the Healthcare System Through Food Security

We know food insecurity affects health in profound ways, and that improved food access leads to improved health outcomes. As a partner in MassHealth's Flexible Services Program, Project Bread is treating food insecurity through the healthcare system to improve long-term patient health outcomes. 

This revolutionary pilot program allows Medicaid dollars to be used on “non-medical” expenses to address two social determinants of health — food insecurity and housing stability.

One of the only kind in the nation, Project Bread’s model goes beyond prescriptions for food by offering comprehensive case management to certain eligible MassHealth patients who are both food insecure and have a physical or behavioral health diagnosis.

This ground-breaking program is demonstrating an improvement in both food security and health of participants.

Impact Stat Background

Our Impact

over 9,500 patients

served to combat chronic food insecurity

Red Stars Line

I’ve had no working refrigerator for six years. I can’t cook, and I live on cold canned soup. I’m so grateful they are helping to improve my situation, starting with a new fridge and fixing my kitchen sink.”

MassHealth patient, Flexible Service Program

A Coordinated Effort

Referrals to our Healthcare Partnerships program come from our Accountable Care Organization partners Community Care Cooperative (C3), Boston Medical Center ACO and Boston Children's Hospital ACO. Collectively they send us referrals* from over 45 community health centers, physician offices and hospitals across the Commonwealth.

We provide individualized support to these food insecure patients with medically complex health issues by addressing social, environmental and economic factors that influence their ability to purchase, prepare and consume healthy foods.

Depending on need, members may receive: grocery store gift cards; procurement of kitchen supplies and appliances; cooking classes; nutrition counseling; referrals for medically tailored meals; assistance connecting with federal nutrition assistance program like SNAP and WIC; and referrals to nearby food pantries.

*Flexible Services is not an entitlement program or a covered service, and not all MassHealth members will receive these specific supports.

BUILDING CAPACITY FOR GREATER IMPACT

Project Bread believes in the importance of centering people, not food, in solutions. Because of this, growing the staff of our Healthcare Partnerships program directly correlates to more people being food secure.

BUILDING CAPACITY FOR GREATER IMPACT
Senior disabled man stirs a bowl while he looks over his shoulder to see if he is doing it right

Our Impact

25% of patients were no longer food-insecure after 6 months of programming.

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