The California Food is Medicine Coalition is the leading coalition of medically tailored meal providers for low-income Californians with chronic or severe illnesses.
CalFIMC coordinates eight community based organizations that provide nutrition services, focusing on medically tailored meal (MTM) interventions.
In 2022 CalFIMC organizations delivered MTM interventions to 14,867 people which included more than 2.9 million meals, medical nutrition therapy and other education.
7,766 clients received groceries providing an estimated 582,687 meals from groceries
The Coalition serves as a resource for health plan partners, healthcare providers and policymakers. We believe MTM should be a covered health care benefit for all people.
CalFIMC VISION: A California where all people have access to appropriate nutrition services that address their medical needs
MISSION: To develop, refine and sustain models where medical nutrition services are an integral part of cost-effective and high quality health care in order to improve health of all.
Meet Executive Chef Adrian Barrow
Project Open Hand executive chef Adrian Barrow knows all about the healing power of food, both professionally and personally. Barrow, who had an extensive restaurant industry culinary career, began his tenure at Project Open Hand several years ago as both a client and a cook.
Faced with his own health challenges, Chef Adrian knows first hand that food is medicine. “Through Project Open Hand’s nutritious meals, and the love and support of my co-workers in the POH kitchen, I was able to regain excellent health and work my way up and find my true calling,” Barrow says.
"I adhere to the dietary restrictions and requirements with the guidance of our amazing dieticians. They don’t limit my creativity, but they keep me on the right nutritional path; it’s a great partnership."
