With generous funding from the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank launched the Food Rx Pilot. Following the success of Phase 1, the foundation has awarded Phase 2: Food Rx Pilot a three-year Food as Medicine grant. The partnership is anchored by each organization’s commitment to delivering sustainable programming that improves health outcomes for food-insecure individuals living with chronic illness.
“At the Food Bank, we’re committed not only to alleviating hunger, but to empowering our neighbors to live healthier, more resilient lives,” said Michael Flood, President and CEO of the LA Regional Food Bank. “The Food RX Pilot Program reflects our belief that good food and health education can transform how people manage chronic conditions and thrive in their daily lives.”
Why Food as Medicine Matters
Research shows that individuals experiencing food or nutrition insecurity are more likely to develop diet-related chronic diseases. The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is uniquely positioned to deliver Food as Medicine programs, which target one of the most pressing social drivers of health: food and nutrition insecurity. Food as Medicine is defined as interventions coordinated with healthcare delivery to provide access to nutritious foods focused on the prevention, management, or treatment of disease. The Food Bank’s ongoing investments in Nutrition Services led to the development and launch of the Food as Medicine pilot program, Food Rx.
Food RX, designed by the Food Bank’s Nutrition Services staff, integrates food provision with nutrition education to improve health outcomes. The Food Bank partners with trusted community-based organizations (CBOs), whose Registered Dietitians and clinicians deliver the 12-week in-person Nutrition Education curriculum tailored to support adults 18 and older who screen positive for food insecurity and are diagnosed with pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or hypertension. Our staff manages the program and food provisions, ensuring that participating neighbors receive weekly medically supportive groceries to promote improved health.
Measurable changes from pre- and post-surveys, clinical measures, and self-reported behavior changes empower individuals to make sustainable lifestyle improvements and inform the program’s effectiveness. To learn more about the Food Rx Pilot program design, click here.
Measuring Success – Phase 1: Food Rx Pilot
The Anthem Blue Cross Foundation generously funded Phase I of the Food Rx Pilot program, which commenced in October 2023 and culminated in December 2024. The Health Measurements and Behavioral and Confidence gains for Phase 1 of the Food Rx Pilot demonstrated measurable impacts on dietary behaviors, food security, and community health. The program’s culturally sensitive approach and comprehensive curriculum laid the groundwork for sustainable health improvements, addressing both individual and systemic barriers to wellness.
Reach and Activities
96 unique individuals were served.
77 nutrition education classes and food demos were conducted.
1,037 food boxes were delivered.
Over 28,000 pounds of food were distributed.
Key Outcomes and Impact
Food insecurity prevalence: 80% of participants screened positive for food insecurity, underscoring the program’s necessity.
Retention and completion: 90% graduation rate — 96 of 106 enrolled participants completed the 12-week program.
Clinical Improvements*
A1C improved by 23% among participants measured.
53% of participants experienced weight reduction.
45% showed improvements in systolic blood pressure.
44% showed improvements in diastolic blood pressure.
*Percentages reflect the share of participants who improved between baseline and completion. No control group; results indicate feasibility and directional impact.
Behavioral and Confidence Gains
50% increased daily vegetable intake.
57% increased daily fruit intake.
58% reported increased attention to nutrition labels.
40% reported increased confidence in cooking healthy meals.
40% reported healthier choices when eating out.
Sustained engagement: 73% of Providence graduates enrolled in the CDC Diabetes Prevention Program, indicating that FoodRx acted as an effective gateway to sustained health services.
Participant Feedback highlighted increased motivation, knowledge, energy, and measurable health improvements (e.g., A1C reductions).
Scaling a Successful Pilot – Phase 2: Food Rx Pilot
Phase 2: Food Rx Pilot (January 2026 – December 31, 2028) is made possible by funding from the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation. Phase 2 builds upon the success of Phase 1 and scales the successful pilot into a robust 36-month Food as Medicine initiative. Phase 2: Food Rx Pilot will serve 270 adults across Los Angeles County who are experiencing both food insecurity and chronic diet-related conditions, including Pre-Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, and Hypertension. Participants, enrolled in 18 cohorts of 15 individuals each, will receive weekly healthy food kits for 12 weeks and attend a 2-hour, in-person Nutrition Education class led by Registered Dietitians and health educators from FEAST and Providence Health. The goals for Phase 2 are to improve: 1) clinical outcomes, 2) nutrition literacy, and 3) increase access to nutritious foods for populations experiencing high social risk and food and nutrition insecurity.
Eligibility is based on screening with the Hunger Vital Signs survey, EBT participation, or school lunch program eligibility, ensuring outreach to high-need communities. Food kits, curated by dietitians at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, are tailored to meet the nutritional needs of chronic conditions while honoring cultural preferences. By combining medically supportive groceries with practical nutrition education, the program empowers participants to improve their health outcomes, reduce disease risk, and develop sustainable eating habits. It also strengthens clinic connections and builds community resilience by addressing systemic barriers to food access and health literacy.
Measurement tools used include: electronic medical records through clinical partners; pre-/post-program surveys on emotional health and social support; lifestyle and eating habits surveys; and biometric screenings at intake and post-program in clinics (e.g., A1c levels, blood pressure).
Beyond biometric changes in A1c and blood pressure, the program will measure nutrition literacy, food security status, and behavioral health indicators through validated tools and participant surveys. Clients will complete the Hunger Vital Signs Survey at enrollment and post program to assess shifts in reliability and access to nutritious food.
Registered Dietitians will evaluate changes in participants’ ability to read nutrition labels, plan balanced meals, and apply condition-specific dietary strategies. Pre- and post-assessments will also capture improvements in confidence, motivation, and perceived control over health. These complementary metrics will allow us to evaluate both physiological outcomes and the program’s broader impact on participants’ long-term well-being.
Anticipated Outcomes
The program will directly support 270 adults experiencing food insecurity and chronic diet‑related conditions, with a total household impact reaching approximately 1080 individuals.
65 participants will show improvement with Hemoglobin A1c.
87 participants will show improvement with blood pressure.
90 unique participants will show improvement in at least one biometric.
Each participant will receive 242 pounds of nutritious food for the 12-week program.
A total of 65,340 pounds of nutritious food will be delivered across all participants over the 3-year grant period.
A Partnership That Strengthens Community Health
The Anthem Blue Cross Foundation has long championed better access to nutritious foods in the communities it serves through grants to nonprofit organizations. As a result of past success in supporting Food as Medicine initiatives, a new five-year commitment was pledged in January 2026. Three-year funding was awarded to the Phase 2: Food Rx Pilot program. This critical support drives innovative, scalable solutions to address social determinants of health through a whole-health approach that combines nutritional coaching and nourishing foods to deliver positive health outcomes for individuals.
“The Food Rx Pilot shows what’s possible when healthcare and community partners work together to address food insecurity as a core health issue,” said Dr. David Pryor, Chief Medical Officer, Anthem Blue Cross in California. “By expanding this program, we’re investing in solutions that improve outcomes, empower individuals, and support healthier communities across Los Angeles County.
“Our goal in Nutrition Services is to give participants the knowledge and confidence to make choices that nourish their bodies and support long-term health,” said Ani Aratounians, LA Regional Food Bank Director of Nutrition Services. “Seeing people shift how they think about food, from short-term eating to lifelong health, is incredibly rewarding.”
By addressing food insecurity as a critical part of health, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank demonstrates the continued commitment to helping neighbors build lasting well-being. Together, #WeFeedLA.
