Food Is Medicine: Transforming Health in Guilford County

Author: Scott Henderson, Vice President, Product Performance

This December, we’re excited to highlight one of our new initiatives: Food is Medicine. At WellCare, we know that access to nutritious food is one of the strongest predictors of long-term health—and this pilot program in Guilford County puts that principle into action.

Through partnerships with Equiti Foods, founded by Dr. Alice Ammerman of UNC’s Gillings School of Public Health and True Salvation Christian Fellowship, one of Greensboro’s most trusted food pantries, we are bridging the gap between nutrition and disease prevention. Additional partners include, Guilford County Cooperative Extension, The Black Farmer Network, New Hope Baptist Church, Second Harvest of NW NC and Triad Adult and Pediatric Medicine.

The program focuses on 279 WellCare members identified as prediabetic across three ZIP codes (27401, 27406, 27407). By combining healthy meal distribution, nutrition education, and local food access, we aim to prevent the progression from prediabetes to diabetes—while also supporting local farmers and food producers.

The American Heart Association defines Food Is Medicine as the provision of healthy food, such as medically tailored meals, groceries, or produce prescriptions, to treat or manage specific clinical conditions in a way that is integrated with, and paid for by, the healthcare system. With this model, we’re proud to put evidence-based practices into action, addressing food insecurity while improving health outcomes for our members.

A standout aspect of this initiative is its collaboration with the Black Faith Leaders of the Triad. Churches in this coalition are helping distribute meals directly to congregations in key ZIP codes, bringing both community trust and cultural insight to the program. These partnerships are essential to creating sustained, measurable health outcomes.

Food Is Medicine is a model for how healthcare and community work can come together. When we invest in communities, we invest in better care, better health, and better lives.

This pilot reflects the strength of WellCare’s community engagement model, and we are proud of the teams and partners making it possible. Together, we’re showing how thoughtful collaboration can transform the health of communities one meal at a time.