Providing access to nutrition-rich food with dignity, creating healthy, vibrant communities
Food Pharmacy
What we do
What is Food Pharmacy?
Food Pharmacies are a clinic-based food intervention designed to support patients in managing chronic conditions, improving their overall health and wellbeing, and building trusting relationships with their healthcare providers. Food Pharmacies take place on-site at clinics, typically weekly, and prioritize serving Black, Latinx, and low-income patients managing chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes. Visits to Food Pharmacy include high quality groceries; trauma-informed cooking and nutrition education; group health education with clinicians; and cooking equipment.
1,300+ households served in 2024
13,000+ Food Pharmacy visits in 2024
12 clinics offering Food Pharmacies in SF
$60 average value of groceries offered
45 servings of fresh, culturally relevant fruits & vegetables each week
Rooted in patient-centered, trauma-informed practices that celebrate the dignity of Black and Latinx communities
In their words
“Food Pharmacy is the best program in this community and the staff are helpful in recommending and explaining all the products they provide. The food quality is very, very high.”
Food Pharmacy Participant, 2024
In their words
"Food Pharmacy is one of my absolute favorite things that we do because it really feels like we are providing solutions to real problems and struggles that ultimately impact patients’ health.”
Health Network Medical Director
Partnerships with Food and Voucher Providers
We partner closely with small, family-run produce distributors and nonprofit organizations who take pride in supporting the health and nutrition of their community. Together, we’ve built the systems needed to provide fresh, culturally relevant, and quality food for participants. To learn more about our unique public-private partnerships, contact info@foodasmedicinecollaborative.org
Resources
Download our Technical Assistance Toolkit
For a Food Pharmacy manual, sample policies, sample food orders, and other useful tools, download what you need from our Technical Assistance Toolkit.
Need help finding food resources in San Francisco?
Check eligibility through your insurance and apply for Medically Supportive Food paid for by San Francisco Health Plan or Anthem.
Try the SF Marin Food Bank’s food locator tool.