Lunch & Learn: Food is Medicine

Join us and learn about what Central Health is doing to address food insecurity

Over the past year, Central Health has expanded its Food Is Medicine work to better support people facing food insecurity, one of the biggest barriers to good health for people with low income.

This effort combines hands-on programs with policy changes to make food a regular part of health care.

How it works

Mobile Food FARMacy

In partnership with the Central Texas Food Bank, Mobile Food FARMacy events provide fresh food at multiple clinic locations across Travis County. Each month, the program distributes about 7.000 pounds of nutritious food, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins.

Medically Tailored Meals

This program delivers healthy meals to patients with conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Patients receive seven meals per week for up to eight weeks. A pilot program served 20 patients and is expanding to reach up to 600 patients in the next phase.

Workforce Development

Central Health partners with The Other Ones Foundation and Good Works Austin to support people experiencing homelessness. Participants receive paid job training while helping prepare and distribute meals. This creates pathways to stable employment while strengthening food programs.

From program to policy

Central Health is working to make food support a routine part of health care. The Central Health Policy Council selected Food Is Medicine as its 2025–2026 policy priority. This work focuses on:

• Screening patients for food needs.
• Improving referral systems.
• Connecting food access to clinical care.

The goal is to make healthy food part of health care, not an occasional service.