We are proud to serve as the co-founder and key partner in the Delaware Food Farmacy, a comprehensive Food is Medicine initiative designed to reduce health disparities and improve outcomes for individuals living with diet-related chronic illnesses.

Through this collaborative program, participants are referred by ChristianaCare and receive weekly deliveries of medically tailored groceries prepared and distributed by LCS. These groceries are carefully selected to support chronic disease management and reflect each individual’s health conditions, dietary restrictions, and cultural preferences.

In addition to food access, the program provides wraparound support from Christiana’s Community Health Workers (CHWs), pharmacists, and registered dietitians. This holistic approach addresses not just what’s on the plate, but the broader social and environmental factors that influence health.

Each week, customized groceries are prepared and delivered to patients, aligning with their clinical needs and dietary goals. Approximately 50% of the food is locally sourced, thanks to a strategic partnership with the Delaware Council on Farm and Food Policy and the state of Delaware’s Farm to Community Program. This approach not only improves patient outcomes, but it also supports Delaware’s farmers and strengthens the local food economy.

The Delaware Food Farmacy operates through two specialized pathways each designed to address the unique nutritional and health needs of high-risk populations through food-based clinical support.

This six-month Food is Medicine program serves Medicaid-insured patients in primary and specialty care who are living with uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, or congestive heart failure. Participants receive:

• Weekly deliveries of medically tailored groceries in accordance with the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy while limiting sodium, red meat, and added sugars
• The program feeds the patient and all household members, providing enough ingredients for 10 healthy meals per week per person
• Ongoing support from Community Health Workers (CHWs)
• Access to an integrated care team including pharmacists, registered dietitians, and behavioral health consultants

By meeting both nutritional and social needs, this pathway empowers patients to manage chronic conditions and build sustainable habits for long-term health.

The Women’s Health Delaware Food Farmacy (WHDFF) supports pregnant patients between 4 and 14 weeks of gestation with a BMI of 30 or higher and on average supports participants for approximately 8 months.

Each week, participants receive:

• Weekly deliveries of medically tailored groceries that follow the Mediterranean diet which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy while limiting sodium, red meat, and added sugars.
• Also feeds the patient and household members with 10 meals per week
• Nutrition education and social support are designed to improve maternal and fetal health outcomes

This pathway is part of an ongoing research study, evaluating the impact of medically tailored nutrition on pregnancy outcomes, nutrition security, and care models for expectant mothers.

Through both pathways, ChristianaCare provides clinical oversight while LCS ensures reliable, high-quality food access tailored to each participant’s health journey, working together to deliver care that’s not just comprehensive but transformational. Participants also receive a welcome kit for each household based on a kitchen inventory survey. It will include items such as a quality chef knife, cutting boards, mixing bowls, measuring spoons, a colander and other essential kitchen items.  We will also periodically provide oils, spices, and other kitchen staples.

The best way to help us is host a food drive to augment the fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, fish and whole grains that we supply.

For a downloadable list of the items we need, check out the list below!

Unsure on how to best run a food drive? Check out our 'How to Host a Drive' page for more information!