Since the Food Pharmacy opened, NGH has seen a 20% increase in patients successfully managing their diabetes compared to 2019.
In a compelling article published on October 5, 2022, The New York Times shined a spotlight on an alarming trend: despite medical advancements, diabetes rates continue to climb. The article, "Medical Care Alone Won’t Halt the Spread of Diabetes, Scientists Say," explores how poverty, food deserts, and systemic health inequities make it difficult for many Americans to access nutritious food—one of the most powerful tools in managing and preventing chronic disease.
One solution featured in the article is the Food Pharmacy at Nashville General Hospital (NGH)—a pioneering program that integrates food access directly into patient care. The initiative aligns with a growing movement in healthcare: treating food as medicine.
Unlike a traditional food pantry, NGH’s Food Pharmacy provides food as a prescribed treatment for patients managing chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Under the guidance of a registered dietitian, patients receive specially curated nutritional tote bags filled with fresh produce and shelf-stable foods tailored to their medical needs.
This initiative was highlighted by Dr. Joseph Webb, former CEO of Nashville General Hospital, in his Tennessee Tribune article, "Food as Medicine: A Treatment for Diabetes in Middle Tennessee". Dr. Webb emphasized that diabetes is not just a medical condition—it is a societal issue shaped by access to healthy food.
"It’s difficult to leverage food as medicine when barriers exist to acquiring and cooking healthy food," Dr. Webb wrote. "That’s why Nashville General Hospital established Tennessee’s first Food Pharmacy."
The impact of the Food Pharmacy is significant. Patients enrolled in NGH’s care management program receive a prescription for medically tailored foods designed to stabilize their condition. Many who visit the Food Pharmacy struggle with food insecurity, making it nearly impossible to maintain a diet that aligns with their healthcare needs. The Food Pharmacy removes this barrier.
According to Dr. Webb, since the Food Pharmacy opened, NGH has seen a 20% increase in patients successfully managing their diabetes compared to 2019.
For patients like Arleen Hicks, featured in The New York Times, the program has been life-changing. Hicks, who is unemployed and diabetic, shared how easy-to-follow recipes and fresh food access have helped her regain control of her health.
"This place has been heaven-sent," Hicks said as she picked up fresh zucchini and tomatoes at the Food Pharmacy.
The reality is stark: One in seven American adults has Type 2 diabetes today—up from one in 20 in the 1970s. For many, the root cause isn’t medical—it’s financial. A lack of access to nutritious food drives up the prevalence of chronic illnesses in underserved communities.
Dr. Webb argues that treating food as medicine isn’t just about improving individual health—it’s about reducing the broader burden on the healthcare system.
"If we can control diabetes through diet, we can keep people from having a stroke and ending up in the ER," he explained.
The Food Pharmacy is funded by the Nashville General Hospital Foundation, relying on donations from the community. If you’d like to support this initiative and help provide healthy food to those in need, consider donating to the Food as Medicine Fund here.
By rethinking healthcare to treat food as medicine, Nashville General Hospital is leading the way in addressing the root causes of chronic disease. The success of the Food Pharmacy is a testament to what is possible when healthcare expands beyond hospital walls—and into the everyday lives of patients.
