Mid-South Food Pharmacy
The Mid-South Food Pharmacy represents a partnership between the Mid-South Food Bank, YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South and Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare.
Together, we aim to address food insecurity among MLH patients as a critical part of their health and holistic well-being.
Launched in 2021 at Methodist University Hospital, philanthropic support has helped us expand the program across all five adult hospitals, as well as the Methodist Cancer Institute and Methodist Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center.
The Food Pharmacy team screens inpatients at our hospitals for food insecurity using the Hunger Vital Sign™ tool. Patients identified as food insecure are offered a box of nutritious, shelf-stable food to take home. Each box provides enough to feed the patient and all members of their household for the crucial 72-hour period following discharge from the hospital.
We also offer healthy, ready-to-eat meal packs for patients who may be too sick to prepare food and those who are undergoing treatments such as IV infusions that require lengthy immobilization.
Our Food Pharmacy team provides follow-up support by connecting program participants with their nearest Mid-South Food Bank location for longer-term food resources. Where appropriate, we connect patients with health education opportunities including cooking classes and diabetes and chronic disease self-management programs.
See below for helpful resources & links:
Food Resources
Mid-South Food Bank – Community Food Pantries: Find a site near you here.
Mid-South Food Bank – Mobile Pantry: Locate the Mobile Pantry here.
MIFA's Meals on Wheels – Food Delivery for Seniors: Learn more here.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Access help and sign up here.
Mid-South Farmers Market Guide: Locate a farmer’s market near you here.
Educational Resources
Methodist Healthcare Community Calendar: View upcoming classes and events here.
Cooking Classes: Sign up for cooking instruction here.
Diabetes Prevention Program: Sign up to participate here.
Brought to you by Cigna, Tennessee Valley Authority and International Paper
To learn more about opportunities to support the program including through donations, contact Brian Meyers, Manager of Grants & Communications, Methodist Healthcare Foundation at brian.meyers@mlh.org.
Hager, E. R., Quigg, A. M., Black, M. M., Coleman, S. M., Heeren, T., Rose-Jacobs, R., Cook, J. T., Ettinger de Cuba, S. A., Casey, P. H., Chilton, M., Cutts, D. B., Meyers A. F., Frank, D. A. (2010). Development and Validity of a 2-Item Screen to Identify Families at Risk for Food Insecurity. Pediatrics, 126(1), 26-32. doi:10.1542/peds.2009-3146.