By Joe Ulery, producer
Public News Service
July 9, 2026
A new Feeding America report highlights an Indianapolis partnership that found providing healthy food to patients can improve medical outcomes while lowering overall costs.
The report focuses in part on a partnership between Gleaners Food Bank and Eskenazi Health. More than 5,000 patients received nutritious food and support after screening positive for food insecurity.
The screening process asks people whether they worry about running out of food or whether they have money to buy more.
Sarah Estell, chief outreach officer at Gleaners Food Bank, said the results exceeded expectations.
“Results from this latest round of ‘Food Is Medicine’ have been extraordinary,” Estell said. “On the Eskenazi Health side, they reported 39% fewer overnight hospitalizations, glucose levels dropping, LDL cholesterol decreasing.”
Researchers found the program helped improve patients’ blood sugar levels. Participants also received help applying for SNAP food assistance and accessing additional community resources.
Estell said improving nutrition has become a long-term priority for Gleaners.
“We have worked to really increase the nutritional value of the food that we provide,” Estell said. “We were one of the first food banks nationwide to have a mixing center with Feeding America, so lots of fresh produce. Now that includes protein and dairy and healthy dry goods.”
Feeding America partners with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s national foundation on the Food as Medicine program, which integrates food security screening and interventions directly into primary care and community health centers
Nationally, the three-year initiative screened more than 1.4 million patients. The report found hospitalizations fell 14% and emergency department visits dropped 11%.
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