About NourishRx
Good health begins with consistent access to healthy food. Yet for too many families across Eastern Wisconsin, managing chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease is made more difficult by food insecurity.
NourishRx, a Food as Medicine Program, connects healthcare and nutrition, helping patients receive the right foods, education, and support to manage, and even reverse, diet-related illnesses.
When food is integrated into the care plan, not treated as an afterthought, patients are more likely to heal, stay healthy, and avoid recurring hospital visits. Hunger is not just a social issue, it’s a health issue.
Our Vision
To embed healthy food options and nutrition within the healthcare ecosystem so every person in our 35-county service area can order, receive, and learn the foods that best support their health.
Program Goals:
- Improve clinical outcomes (blood pressure, A1C, BMI, maternal health)
- Lower the cost of care for health system and insurance partners
- Reduce food insecurity for our most vulnerable neighbors, especially in rural communities, communities of color, and families with limited incomes
How It Works
Provider Referral and Enrollment
Patients are referred by healthcare providers or care managers and complete a brief intake to assess nutrition and social needs.
Food Access and Choice
Patients order through a digital marketplace tailored to their health needs, with options including Medically-Tailored Groceries and Food Boxes, Smart Lockers for convenient pickup, and access to Mobile Food Pharmacies.
Education and Support
Participants receive cooking demonstrations, nutrition guidance, and access to registered dietitians for personalized support.
Follow-Up and Outcomes
Regular check-ins and surveys monitor improvements in health, food security, and participant satisfaction.
Who We Serve
Patients: Medicaid/Medicare enrollees managing chronic diseases
Healthcare Providers: Clinics, hospitals, and care coordinators
Payers: Medicaid MCOs and Medicare Advantage plans
Funders and Partners: Philanthropic foundations, sponsors, local growers
Community: Advocates, elected officials, and media amplifying the message
Get Involved
Patients and Families: Ask your provider about a Food as Medicine referral
Healthcare Providers and Payers: Partner with us to connect your patients and members with healthier outcomes
Funders, Sponsors, Corporations: Help us scale this innovative approach to healthcare
Community Organizations: Join us at events, cooking demos, and health fairs
READ MORE >> Michelle L. Ford, Director of Health System Partnerships
Michelle L. Ford, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin’s Director of Health System Partnerships, has over 20 years of experience in executive leadership and healthcare transformation across corporate, nonprofit, healthcare, and foundation sectors.
Ford’s career includes executive leadership roles at several nonprofit organizations. As Executive Director of the United Neighborhood Centers of Milwaukee, she oversaw operations, financial management, and community engagement, while advancing the organization’s mission and outcomes. She also held multiple leadership positions at the American Cancer Society, Midwest Division, where she built statewide community health worker networks and developed diversity training programs at regional and national levels.
Prior to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Ford served as a national thought leader and principal consultant. She has advised health ecosystem stakeholders – including managed care organizations, state and local governments, community-based organizations, and health systems – on healthcare transformation projects. As the National Director of Health and Well-Being for the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities and the Council on Accreditation, Ford led efforts to advance health and strengthen the community health worker workforce.
Ford holds a bachelor’s degree in business and management from Alverno College and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Cardinal Stritch University, where she served as an adjunct instructor in the College of Business and Management. Ford was recently awarded an honorary doctorate in humanities from the Medical College of Wisconsin, in recognition of her contributions to the field.
A dedicated servant leader, Ford has been actively engaged in several national advisory roles, including the Social Interventions Research Network (SIREN), Morehouse School of Medicine’s National Resiliency Network, and Camden Coalition’s National Center for Complex Health and Social Needs. Locally, she serves as President of the Board of America’s Black Holocaust Museum, supports the African American Women’s Fund, the Cinderella Project, and is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Upsilon Mu Omega Chapter.
To connect with Michelle L. Ford directly, email [email protected].
