An Evaluation of One Mobile FARMacy

In 2023, the Central Texas Food Bank launched the Mobile FARMacy program to deliver fresh, nutritious food directly to patients through partnerships with healthcare providers. This innovative model allows providers to “prescribe” healthy foods, which patients can then access at market-style mobile pantries located at healthcare facilities. By integrating food access into clinical care and creating a dignified, supportive experience, the program addresses the intersection between food insecurity and health outcomes for vulnerable communities.

With funding from the Bloomberg American Health Initiative, members of the Central Texas Food Bank Health + Wellness team—Alex Pinedo, Kate Thornton, Vanessa Castro, and Bella Kirchner, with support from Melissa Walls, Bloomberg Professor of American Health—conducted a comprehensive, community-informed evaluation of the program. 

Over the course of a year, the food bank team assessed patient satisfaction, self-reported health improvements, patient-provider relationships, and gathered feedback from healthcare providers. 71% of surveyed participants gave the program a perfect score, and feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Participants also reported measurable improvements in energy levels (59%), digestive health (54%), and overall well-being (71%).

Perhaps most notably, the program helped build stronger relationships between patients and providers. Nearly 60% of participants said they felt more supported by their healthcare provider, and 71% reported feeling more connected to their clinic as a result of participating in the program. That sense of connection extended to the broader community, with two-thirds of respondents saying the program helped them feel more connected to others.

In response to participant and provider feedback, the team made several key improvements. They diversified food offerings, enhanced and improved communication with partners, and refined their follow-up processes. These adjustments reflect the Food Bank’s broader commitment to community-informed, data-driven service delivery.

During the grant period, the food bank expanded its network to include 11 new clinical and community-based distribution sites. From urban health centers to rural initiatives like Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ nursing program, these partnerships allowed the Mobile FARMacy to reach deeper into communities that have historically been underserved by traditional food and healthcare systems.

As healthcare systems continue to explore how best to address social needs, the work of the food bank illustrates what’s possible when evaluation is built into the fabric of program design and then used for continuous improvement.