Addressing Food Insecurity Through Healthcare: A Healthcare Partnerships Impact Report

Food insecurity affects every community in Massachusetts, forcing families to choose between food, housing, and medical care — and the healthcare system is increasingly recognized as a critical access point for identifying and addressing it. This report synthesizes five years of research on Project Bread’s Flexible Services Program, a MassHealth-funded initiative launched in 2020 that paired flexible food vouchers with nutrition education and case management for patients living with chronic health conditions. Drawing on evaluations, cost analyses, and client feedback from 2020 to 2024, the report examines program implementation, outcomes, and lessons learned — offering a comprehensive assessment of how Medicaid-funded food and nutrition support can lower healthcare costs, improve chronic disease outcomes, and strengthen food security for Massachusetts households…