Skip to main content
Shop Plans Learn more about our coverage options including health, Medicare, dental and vision options for you, your family or your employees. Get Started Individual & Family Medicare Employer Vision Dental International Travel Find Care FAQ Blog Members Stay on top of your health care with helpful member resources. Members Home Medicare Health Dental Vision Find Care Member Knowledge Center Member Forms Medicare Forms Library Make a Payment Federal Employees Student Blue Healthy Blue Providers Access tools, policies and the latest information to help you care for our members. Providers Home Network Participation Networks & Programs Claims, Appeals & Inquiries Prior Authorization Services & CPT codes Prescription Drug Search Forms and Documents Policies, Guidelines & Codes Provider News Provider FAQ Contact Us Employers Learn about our coverage options for small and large employers, and access tools and resources for your group. Employers Home Shop Employer Plans Employer Portal Support Member Forms & Resources Find Care Blog Agents Access the tools you need: rate quotes, applications, forms, the latest industry news, marketing materials and more. Agents Home Agent Services Check Eligibility Find Care Member Forms & Resources Medicare Forms Library
Contact Us
Log In
I am ... Please select A member A provider An employer An agent
Log in to Agent Services
Log in to Employer Services Register for Employer Services I'm registered but need portal access
Username Forgot username? Continue to Log In Register for Blue Connect Need help? Learn how to log in.
Log in to Blue e Register for Blue e Log in to Dental Blue
Back
Fueling change: How food is powering health across North Carolina December 23, 2025 Our Communities 1 MINUTE READ

At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC), our Health Through Food efforts are making a positive impact across the state. From improving access to nutritious food, to reducing the health risks of hypertension and diabetes, to providing support for community organizations statewide, Blue Cross NC, alongside the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation, is a leader in Food is Medicine initiatives. In this video you’ll hear from people driving these programs and people who have been impacted by them.

And what’s more, you’ll see how Health Through Food can lead to a healthier future for all North Carolinians.

[Music]

[Screen text] Rev. Richard Joyner, Founder & Board Chair, Conetoe Family Life Center

[Rev. Richard Joyner, Founder & Board Chair, Conetoe Family Life Center]

Food is medicine is when we learn how to manage our chronic disease through these vegetables. 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, we stand synonymous. And that we want to see food is medicine in every corner, every place across North Carolina.

[Screen text] Merry Davis, Director, Health Through Food Signature Initiative

[Merry Davis, Director, Health Through Food Signature Initiative]

Blue Cross affirmed our commitment to improving health through food in North Carolina. For so long, health care had a certain box of tools, and when you add food to that toolbox, there's so much more that you can do. 

Increasing food is medicine in health care practice, increasing access to healthy food in communities, and it's about equipping individuals with the information and the skills they need.

People are not just receiving food, but they're receiving that kind of deep care and social support.

[Screen text] Kasheta Jackson, VP of Communication Health, Eastern Carolina University

[Kasheta Jackson, VP of Communication Health, Eastern Carolina University] 

Some of us may live in food deserts and this was an opportunity to provide produce that can help reduce hypertension, diabetes, and, congestive heart failure.

Having access to food truly is medicine because it affects your whole well-being.

[Screen text] Must be currently enrolled in an eligible Blue Cross NC health plan and meet certain eligibility requirements. Some plan exclusions may apply. For information regarding eligibility call NourishedRx at (844) 727-6670.

[Screen text] Kim, Blue Cross NC Member Since 2003 

[Kim, Blue Cross NC Member Since 2003]

Feed Your Health is a program that Blue Cross and Blue Shield North Carolina offers.

I learned how to cook all of these fresh foods that were delivered to my house.

It’s the best thing I ever, ever did.  

Like, wow.

[Screen text] Peter Skillern, CEO, Reinvestment Partners

[Peter Skillern, CEO, Reinvestment Partners]

The biggest obstacle to people eating healthy, according to surveys, is affordability. People have to be able to buy healthy foods. And that's the reason why our program provides that direct financial assistance for them to make their own choices about which foods best fit their needs. 

Blue Cross is a leader not only in the state but nationally, pioneering food as medicine, both with operational support for nonprofits through pilots to determine which population needs to be served and through rigorous evaluation to determine what the health outcomes and financial savings are.

[Rev. Richard Joyner, Founder & Board Chair, Conetoe Family Life Center]

I cannot say enough about the support that that we get from Blue Cross to be able to feed 2500 families a week without people standing in line.

Blue Cross sees something in us. They see the soul of us. 

This is our medicine.

[Screen text] Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina

Browse related articles

A shared commitment to recovering from a natural disaster

Discover how compassion and determination continue to heal western North Carolina.

Where care meets cake

How care and connection fuel Maxie B’s bakery every day.

One year after Helene, the heart of WNC is still strong

When Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina, it left behind damage that tested the strength of our communities.

About Us Newsroom Blog Member Forms COVID-19 Transparency in Coverage Find Care Rights & Responsibilities Policies & Best Practices Privacy Policy Website User Agreement Fraud & Abuse Technical Information Contact Us Locations Careers

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in its health programs and activities. Learn more about our non-discrimination policy and no-cost services available to you.

Information in other languages: Español   中文   Tiếng Việt   한국어   Français   العَرَبِيَّة   Hmoob   ру́сский   Tagalog   ગુજરાતી   ភាសាខ្មែរ   Deutsch   हिन्दी   ລາວ   日本語

© 2025 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. ®, SM Marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans. All other marks and names are property of their respective owners. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.