Foodsmart: Pioneering the Way to Overcome Food Insecurity with Healthy Eating

Growing up in a blue-collar family, relying on free school lunches and occasionally food stamps, Dr. Jason Langheier experienced firsthand the challenges of eating healthy on a tight budget. Witnessing the impact of poor nutrition within his own family, with close relatives suffering from conditions like strokes and diabetes at an early age, fueled his passion for change. 

This drive followed him through his education, becoming the first in his extended family to attend college, where the reality of long, healthy lives led him to a realization: he needed to make a difference.

Dr. Langheier’s journey to combat these issues began in earnest at Boston Medical and its pediatric obesity clinic. There, faced with children suffering from diabetes and hypertension due to diets filled with chips and toaster pastries—often the "best" meals they received from well-meaning food banks—he spearheaded a revolutionary approach to encourage healthier eating habits. 

By providing families with personalized grocery lists tailored to both their food preferences and budget constraints, the clinic observed tangible improvements in the health of their young patients. This was the seed that eventually grew into Foodsmart.

Foodsmart’s Mission and Approach

Today, Foodsmart stands as the largest provider of foodcare services in the United States. With a foundation built on a unique combination of dietitian services, tailored meal planning tools, and an expansive food delivery marketplace, Foodsmart aims to simplify healthy eating. 

Dr. Langheier, the founder and CEO, proudly states that Foodsmart goes beyond the traditional models, offering not just grocery delivery but also support with SNAP/EBT benefits and meals catering to specific medical needs.

Designed to serve those facing the greatest barriers to a healthy lifestyle—low-income families, residents of rural communities and food deserts, and those seeking nutritional support for chronic diseases—Foodsmart has already touched the lives of 2.2 million people directly. 

These services, often provided through Medicaid and Medicare insurer partnerships, aim to make nutrition and health accessible and affordable.

In an era where over 44 million Americans grapple with food insecurity, and chronic diseases are on the rise, Foodsmart’s goals couldn’t be more critical. The partnership announced with TPG’s Rise Fund seeks to inject over $200 million into Foodsmart, promising to extend its reach and amplify its impact. With this support, Foodsmart looks to enhance its foodcare solutions, further integrating them into health plans and healthcare systems across the nation.

Real-Life Impact and the Way Forward

The effectiveness of Foodsmart is not just anecdotal; the stats speak volumes. Dr. Langheier shares that within six months of using the service, 42% of Foodsmart users gain food security, alongside demonstrable improvements in chronic health conditions. 

Stories like that of Maya, who overcame pre-diabetic conditions and chronic illness through a Foodsmart personalized meal program, highlight the platform’s capacity to transform lives.

Foodsmart’s network of dietitians, arguably the largest virtual gathering in the country, plays a key role in this transformation. By ensuring members are matched with dietitians who understand their culture and speak their language, Foodsmart caters not just to the body’s needs but touches the soul through food—a truly personal experience.

Dr. Langheier envisions a future where nutritious food is not a luxury but a fundamental right accessible to all. Through strategic partnerships and continuous innovation, Foodsmart is well on its way to bringing comprehensive food care into the homes of millions, paving the way for a healthier, brighter future for America.

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Need more food support resources? Check out the links below:

• Maximizing The Value Of Your SNAP Benefits: A Guide To Where You Can Use Them
• Transformative Effects Of SNAP Benefits: From Essential Support To Empowered Living
• How Rising Food Costs In America Has Impacted Low To Middle-Income Families