In mid-September, the  Health Care Improvement Foundation’s Health Equity Data Strategy (HEDS) Collaborative (HEDS) hosted its inaugural in-person event, “Using Data to Activate Community Partnerships.” Food Connect had the privilege of leading the charge with a powerful presentation on our innovative partnerships with healthcare organizations. The event brought together healthcare leaders to explore best practices for using data to address disparities in care and outcomes, with a focus on building trust and collaboration between hospitals and community-based organizations (CBOs).

At the heart of the discussion were Food Connect’s Founder and CEO, Megha Kulshreshtha, and Regional Director, Kate Colyer. They shared their unique insights on how community partnerships, grounded in trust and shared goals, are transforming how healthcare systems and CBOs collaborate to improve health equity. Their presentation emphasized that these collaborations go beyond providing food—they’re about reshaping lives through the integration of culturally appropriate, diet-specific food programs designed to prevent chronic disease and address social determinants of health.

A key takeaway from the event was the crucial role data plays in forging successful partnerships between hospitals and CBOs and having leaders championing the causes within the health system increases the chances of success for community health programs. Megha and Kate demonstrated how Food Connect uses data to inform programming decisions, from identifying disparities in access to nutritious food to tailoring programs that meet the specific needs of communities. By leveraging a “health equity data strategy,” we are able to design, implement, and evaluate our programs to ensure they drive meaningful impact.

Food Connect’s innovative Food as Medicine programs serve as a prime example of how data can activate change. Over the last decade, we’ve partnered with more than 800 organizations across the country, delivering over 200,000 meals per month. Each program is thoughtfully curated and Food Connect advocates for culturally relevant, diet-specific foods that not only address food insecurity but also center health equity and nutrition security. By utilizing robust data collection and analysis, we are able to continuously refine our approach, ensuring that our services are both effective and sustainable.

In alignment with HEDS’ goals, Food Connect is intentional about building trust between hospitals and CBOs. Our partnerships are founded on transparency, data sharing, and a shared commitment to improving health outcomes for underserved communities. We understand that trust is built through action, and our programs are designed to provide measurable results that inspire confidence in both our partners and the communities we serve. We learn together and adjust when things don’t work. The key is to continuously have an eye towards improving and listening to the recipient's needs over our own assumptions.

As we move forward, Food Connect aims to not only address immediate needs but also work towards long-term solutions that promote health equity and nutrition security. We are deeply committed to using our expertise and insights to empower communities, and we invite funders and allies to join us in this mission. Together, we can continue to build sustainable food systems and improve the lives of those most in need.

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