Food is medicine

Food is medicine research and evaluation

• Food is Medicine Research Action Plan
  This report from the Aspen Institute outlines a roadmap for equity-centered research that can revolutionize how diet-related conditions are prevented, treated, and managed in the United States. It is the first report to pull together the latest peer-reviewed Food is Medicine research in a digestible, comprehensible and action-oriented format.
• Food Insecurity in King County report, February 2023 (1.5 MB)
  An assessment of resources available to food security organizations, the magnitude of food insecurity in King County, and the assistance needs of local food security organizations. This report is meant to help determine whether any county areas are underserved by the existing food security network.

Food resource funding opportunities

• The Food Resource Funding Opportunities List is managed by United Way of King County and is a hub for funding resources for organizations and groups engaged in food access and food distribution work. The goal of this list is to support increased knowledge of funding available for organizations in King County, particularly communities that have not historically received funding for food related work. This list is updated monthly to reflect new opportunities.

Food access and food security data in King County

Explore a variety of data that highlight the current landscape of food access across King County from food insecurity rates to food assistance participation trends.

• Number of callers to 2-1-1 for food and meals
• Food insecurity among adults
• Households receiving Basic Food benefits in previous month
• Households receiving Basic Food benefits in 2019-2023
• Clients enrolled in WIC at Public Health clinics
• Students eligible for free and reduced-price meals
• Number of visits to food banks
• Families struggling to afford food

Food is Medicine Community of Practice

We bring together staff from local health systems to share best practices and strategies for addressing food and nutrition insecurity in healthcare settings. In 2025, this group drafted policy recommendations (307 KB) for the WA Health Care Authority to help inform the WA State's 1115 Waiver Nutrition Supports Implementation plan. To learn more about our policy and advocacy work, or to join our Community of Practice, contact our Food is Medicine lead, Elizabeth Kimball. 

Downloadable resources for providers

Food resource list

This is a list of resources that can help with applying for food benefits, getting money to pay for food at grocery stores and farmers markets, and finding places to get free food and meals.

Worried about enough food?

Use this poster in your clinic or healthcare setting so clients know they can ask about food resources. Available in the following languages:

Hunger Vital Sign^TM food insecurity screening tool

The Hunger Vital Sign identifies households as being at risk based on their answers to two questions. Download the questionnaires in the following languages: