Nutrition is
Non-Negotiable.

Food is Medicine SC (FiMSC) is a statewide coalition advancing policies and practices that prioritize the integration of nutrition into healthcare. We bring together healthcare organizations, community organizations, food system partners, academic institutions, philanthropy and policymakers to ensure that everyone in South Carolina has access to the nutrition they need to thrive.

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Our Work

Our work centers on advancing policies and practices that ensure Food is Medicine programs are:

Integrated into routine clinical care so that nutrition support becomes a standard, not a luxury.

Guided by clear standards, quality measures and shared workflows that ensure every patient receives consistent, high‑quality support and that interventions can be adopted and sustained across healthcare settings statewide.

Feasible for healthcare providers, payers and community partners working together to meet the needs of patients and communities.

Reimbursable across payers, including Medicaid, Medicare, commercial and employer‑sponsored plans, and pathways that serve uninsured populations — because access to nutrition support should not depend on your insurance card.

From produce prescriptions to medically tailored meals and groceries, we champion programs that promote health and well-being, prevent and manage chronic disease, support clinical treatment, and reduce avoidable healthcare costs. We prioritize solutions that reach those most affected by nutrition insecurity and chronic disease—while pushing for systems that ensure everyone has access to the nutrition they need to thrive.

doctor holding fruit on an orange background

Our History

Early Foundations

Food is Medicine SC began with a shared realization among food system and health partners: healthcare and food systems were not consistently connected in ways that could improve health outcomes.

Formation in 2023

Food is Medicine SC (FiMSC) was established as a committee within the state’s food policy council, with leadership from the University of South Carolina SNAP-Ed team. The purpose was to improve the coordination among organizations working to advance healthy food access within health care settings and identify and facilitate the adoption of state-level food is medicine policy and system changes. This early convening laid the foundation for what would become a growing, statewide effort to make nutrition a standard part of healthcare.

Growing Momentum (2022–2024)

As interest grew, the most engaged partners began collaborating more deeply. By 2024, FiMSC evolved into an independent, cross‑sector collaborative with dedicated workgroups focused on building the infrastructure needed to scale Food is Medicine interventions.

These workgroups produced significant statewide achievements, including:

A comprehensive statewide food insecurity map to equip communities to understand food insecurity in communities across the state, to inform Food is Medicine program planning.
Informational resources for healthcare providers and food system partners outlining how to obtain continuing education credits related to Food is Medicine.
Facilitating early discussions about the policy changes needed to support Food is Medicine programs and laying the groundwork for coordinated advocacy around potential payment pathways.
The convening of nearly 200 partners representing healthcare, public health, community organizations, philanthropy, food system partners and academia — solidifying FiMSC as a statewide hub of collaboration.

These accomplishments demonstrated a powerful truth: South Carolina has the talent, commitment, and momentum needed to transform nutrition and health through aligned action.

The Next Phase

Food is Medicine is at a pivotal moment in South Carolina. Policy momentum is building, new funding opportunities are emerging, clinical demand is accelerating, and partners across sectors are stepping forward with shared purpose. With alignment in mission and capacity, Wholespire is serving as the backbone organization, providing the structure, coordination and support needed for partners to work together effectively and move the movement forward.

This is the moment to bring the statewide movement together, to align strategies, strengthen partnerships and chart the next phase of impact for our state.

Food is Medicine SC is now focused on that next phase of impact: prioritizing food and nutrition within healthcare across South Carolina through sustainable policy and payment pathways, strengthened research and evaluation that demonstrate impact, and the promotion of evidence‑based programs that promote good health and address poor healthcare outcomes.

Join the

Food is Medicine South Carolina Movement

Nutrition is non-negotiable! Help make it a priority in healthcare. Reach out to join our movement today!