Embedding food outreach specialists in pediatric clinics connects families with resources

Embedding food outreach specialists in pediatric clinics connects families with resources | Image Credit: © Kittiphan - stock.adobe.com.

Hiring and embedding food outreach specialists within pediatric clinics can help address food insecurity among families by directly connecting them to available nutrition resources, according to new research presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2025 National Conference & Exhibition in Denver, Colorado.^1,2

The study, "Addressing Childhood Food Insecurity: An Integrated and Community-Based Approach," evaluated a partnership among an urban Midwest pediatric clinic, Feeding America, and a regional food and healthcare coalition. The pilot program placed a food outreach specialist inside the clinic to serve as a resource for families in need, with the ability to connect them to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, troubleshoot barriers to food access, and link them with additional community-based resources.

“We’ve seen the powerful effectiveness of trusted community partnerships by embedding a FoodShare outreach specialist directly into a pediatric primary care clinic. This innovative approach has already connected over 600 families with vital resources, showcasing a highly effective and sustainable model for addressing food insecurity where families already seek care,” said study author Constance Gundacker, MD, MPH, FAAP, section chief of general and community pediatrics at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Background and rationale

Food insecurity remains a widespread public health challenge. In 2023, 17.9% of U.S. families with children experienced food insecurity, with prevalence reaching 39.1% at the participating urban pediatric clinic. Prior studies have linked food insecurity to higher rates of asthma, skin allergies, depression, more frequent emergency department visits, and increased school absences in children.

Recognizing these impacts, researchers designed a model that integrates food assistance directly into the clinic setting. The goal was to provide accessible, sustainable support by embedding a trained specialist who could serve as a trusted liaison for families.

Methods

The pilot program began in September 2023 with weekly in-person support from a Feeding America food outreach specialist. By January 2024, the specialist was fully integrated into clinic operations. Standardized tracking systems were used to document family engagement, FoodShare enrollments, and referrals to resources.

To evaluate feasibility and impact, the clinic conducted monthly team meetings, staff training sessions, and caregiver surveys. In addition, a regional food and healthcare coalition facilitated three “Data Chats”—small group conversations with 35 community members and service providers. These sessions, conducted in English and Spanish, provided feedback on barriers to food access and identified community priorities for improvement.

Results

In its first year, the program assisted 664 families and facilitated the enrollment of 24 families in FoodShare, Wisconsin’s SNAP program, resulting in an estimated 19,176 annual meals and an economic impact of $115,512. The outreach specialist provided 708 food-related resources to families over the year.

Staff feedback was highly supportive: 81% reported the program was somewhat or very useful, while nearly all staff members said the partnership either decreased or did not affect their workload. Anonymous caregiver feedback also showed high satisfaction, with many participants noting they planned to share what they learned with friends and family.

The “Data Chats” further enriched the program by highlighting barriers such as transportation challenges, limited culturally appropriate food options, and the need for better coordination across local organizations. These insights were synthesized into reports to inform future community strategies.

Implications

The findings demonstrate that embedding a food outreach specialist in a pediatric clinic is both feasible and beneficial. In addition to providing direct support for families, the model created a centralized outreach site and strengthened partnerships with community organizations.

The authors concluded that the approach offers a sustainable way to address food insecurity in communities with high need. Future steps include expanding to other clinics, incorporating community feedback into program design, and continuing to strengthen referral networks across local organizations.

References:

1. American Academy of Pediatrics. Food outreach specialists make positive impact on childhood food insecurity. Eurekalert. September 26, 2025. Accessed September 26, 2025. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1099055
2. Bednarek C. Addressing Childhood Food Insecurity: An Integrated and Community-Based Approach. Abstract. Presented at: American Academy of Pediatrics 2025 National Conference & Exhibition. September 26-30, 2025. Denver, Colorado.