Baltimore, MD — The Maryland Department of Health today announced the launch of its Medically Tailored Meals program, a central element of the Department’s wide-ranging food initiative. The official launch took place at Moveable Feast in Baltimore City, in partnership with Moveable Feast and Food & Friends, underscoring the state’s commitment to improving health and cost of care through better food access and nutrition.
“We are excited to bring this life-changing program to our community,” said Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani. “Proper nutrition is a critical aspect of managing chronic conditions, and our medically tailored meals will help bridge the gap for those who need it most.”
The Medically Tailored Meals Program is a free, six-month service that provides freshly prepared, nutritionally balanced meals tailored to each participant’s specific dietary needs. This program is intended to support disease management, reduce hospitalizations, and elevate the quality of life for vulnerable Marylanders. The service will be available in six counties: Prince George’s, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Dorchester, Somerset, and Allegany.
“We can all relate to the stress of ending up in the emergency room or hospital, but for those facing the dual challenge of food insecurity and chronic illness — the stress is even greater,” said Moveable Feast CEO Sue Elias. “As partners in the state’s Medically Tailored Meals program, Moveable Feast and Food & Friends will deliver meals to Marylanders that not only maintain their health, but also preserve their dignity, and avoid unnecessary trips to the hospital.”
This large-scale launch is the first major effort stemming from the Population Health Improvement Fund, a requirement of the AHEAD model focused on addressing non-clinical drivers of health, such as food insecurity.
In partnership with Moveable Feast and Food & Friends, participants will receive:
- 12 frozen, medically tailored entrees per week, designed to meet individual medical requirements.
- Oral nutrition supplements, when prescribed by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.
- Ongoing nutritional counseling and comprehensive support.
- Convenient home delivery for easy access.
“Medically tailored meals are proven to improve health outcomes and reduce health care costs. In a recent Food & Friends study, 71% of diabetic clients experienced a reduction in A1c levels after starting services, with 44% seeing a drop of 1 point or more. Our collaboration with Moveable Feast demonstrated that diabetic participants receiving services saw a 27% reduction in hospital charges,” said Food & Friends CEO Carrie Stoltzfus. “Through our partnership with the Maryland Department of Health, we look forward to measuring this impact on a larger scale and delivering meaningful results for our neighbors and the state.”
The Maryland Department of Health is expanding this initiative by planning a Produce Prescriptions program. This program is set to be rolled out later this year, in partnership with ENOUGH communities.
Additionally, the Department is leveraging federal funds to close critical gaps in the food system. This funding will help ensure that more Maryland-produced foods are incorporated into state food programs.
The Rockefeller Foundation also chose Maryland to apply for its Food is Medicine State Officer Program. This participation will help the state strengthen its capacity and advance policies that expand access to healthy food for individuals with diet-related health conditions.
To learn more about the Medically Tailored Meals program or to enroll, please visit health.maryland.gov/mtmprogram.