Adventist Health Portland partners with Trillium Community Health Plan, the VA Portland Health Care System and Meals on Wheels People (MOWP) to provide medically tailored meals for patients and their families after hospital discharge. Patients of all ages who live with severe, chronic, or complex illnesses or have limited mobility can use this service. Supported by a $1.75 million grant from Trillium, MOWP provides two tailored meals each day for up to 120 days, with trained volunteers delivering a week’s worth of meals directly to each home. In 2024, the program reached 191 community members facing food insecurity and supplied a total of 21,703 meals, which included 13,974 meals to 116 Adventist Health patients and 7,729 meals to 75 of their family members. The three-year grant runs from 2024 to 2027.

Why We Did It

The program helps patients who face increased food insecurity and limited access to nutritious meals after a hospital stay. Those recovering from illness or managing chronic conditions often have difficulty traveling to the store or preparing food, which can set back their recovery. Studies published in JAMA Internal Medicine show that medically tailored meals can reduce hospital and emergency department use, lower overall health care costs and improve chronic disease management. By ensuring patients have reliable, nutritious meals during the healing process, Adventist Health Portland provides a holistic approach to recovery.