​Medically Tailored Meals Pilot Program

The Medically Tailored Meals (MTM) Pilot Program, authorized by Welfare and Institutions Code 14042.1, launched on April 1, 2018, in eight counties. The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) oversees the program and has contracted with Project Open Hand for the Provision of services. The pilot will run for four years with a total budget of $6 million, and will be evaluated to determine the impact of the MTM program on hospital, emergency department, and skilled nursing facility admissions.

The program will serve three medically tailored meals per day for 12 weeks to 1,413 eligible beneficiaries with congestive heart failure during the four-year period. At the conclusion of the pilot, the State will submit a report to the legislature identifying any positive health outcomes and reductions institutionalizations for these beneficiaries. 

Pilot Counties and Providers

San Francisco / Alameda / San Mateo counties:  Project Open Hand

Los Angeles:  Project Angel Food

Marin / Sonoma:  Ceres Community Project

Sonoma:  Food for Thought

San Diego:  Mama's Kitchen

San Mateo / Santa Clara:  Health Trust

Additional Resources

California Food is Medicine Coalition  ​