Food insecurity, sometimes called low or very low food security, is a leading cause of health related issues among Americans. While inflation nationally has contributed to higher food costs, the minimum wage in Massachusetts has not changed since January 2023, at $15 an hour. In recent years, initiatives have been put in place to combat food insecurity to reduce nutrition related diseases. Most notably, the Food is Medicine initiative was implemented federally beginning in 2023. Through Food is Medicine programs, access to healthy and nutritious foods have expanded for low-income populations along with a deeper understanding of the intersection between food and health.
In Massachusetts, Food is Medicine programs are vital to promoting optimal health. Massachusetts agreed to participate in the Medicaid 1115 Demonstration Waiver which allows states to expand eligibility to Medicaid and implement programs and services to those receiving Medicaid. This waiver is crucial to advancing food insecurity programs as it allows states to pilot food-based initiatives among individuals with Medicaid insurance. Also, this initiative is important to promoting health equity as it targets low-income populations, who disproportionately have higher rates of chronic diseases.
At UMass Memorial Health, the Food is Medicine program has gone a step further with the implementation of several unique strategies. Firstly, through the Fresh Connect program launched in the pediatric primary care clinic, families facing food insecurity can receive a prepaid debit card they can use at grocery stores, farmers markets, and mobile markets. Between August 2022 and September 2023, approximately 200 patients and families from the UMass Memorial pediatric primary care clinic were enrolled in Fresh Connect. Fresh Connect is a unique program because it allows clients to pick out the groceries they want. Many food insecurity services give customers pre-made meals – such pre-prepared food options do not always take into account food preferences. Conversely, the Fresh Connect program empowers patients to select the foods they most want to eat therefore increasing the likelihood the food will be consumed. Additionally, by providing clients with a card that looks nearly identical to standard debit cards, it helps avoid the stigma that often comes with Food is Medicine interventions. At the grocery store, no one would know if someone was dealing with food insecurity and this anonymity is essential empowering clients. Another service offered by UMass Memorial Health is its Flexible Services program – a program for Tufts Health Together with UMass Memorial Health MassHealth members. Through this program, individuals are able to access a variety of interventions designed to promote food security and optimal health.
The various food insecurity programs including the Food is Medicine program run by the Child Health Equity Center at UMass Memorial Health are vital to ensuring all children and adults in Central Massachusetts have access to the healthy food they need to thrive. Between 2021, and 2022, there was a 40% increase in food insecurity among children. By 2022, over 1 in 6 households with children experienced food insecurity. This goes to show that children cannot be ignored in the fight against food insecurity, and instead should be a large focus when creating programs and services. All healthcare systems should work to advance food insecurity programs in pediatric care as food insecurity can have short and long-term impact on children across their life course.
About the Author
Leela Garg is a Senior at Newton North High School. She became passionate about addressing food insecurity related issues after joining the Teen Ambassador Program at her local food pantry. She is interested in continuing to research and address the intersection between food insecurity and health in her future educational and advocacy endeavors.
