Accreditation and the Food Is Medicine Coalition
In a new series by Open Arms of Minnesota, we want to take a deep dive into the Food is Medicine movement by taking a closer look at Medically Tailored Meals (MTM). Over this five-part series, our audience will learn more about medically tailored meals and their outcomes, the role of the Food Is Medicine Coalition (FIMC), and what’s new and innovative across the food as medicine landscape.
In July 2024, Open Arms of Minnesota became only the fourth organization in the nation to receive accreditation status from the Food Is Medicine Coalition (FIMC). This recognition solidifies Open Arms’ place among an elite group of organizations nationwide that demonstrate a high standard of care in delivering medically tailored meals (MTM). You can read the full press release about the news HERE.
So, where did the FIMC accreditation stem from, and why is it a big deal?
Open Arms CEO Leah Hebert Welles remarked following the announcement, “This accreditation from FIMC is a significant acknowledgment of our commitment to delivering high-quality, medically tailored meals. It highlights the exceptional research, planning, and care that goes into the meals we create in our kitchens and underscores the reliability and rigor of our programs. Open Arms has been nourishing some of the most vulnerable members of our community for nearly 40 years, and we’ll continue to do so for another 40 years.”
As Leah mentioned, the FIMC Accreditation Program synthesizes decades of best practices into a standard for the field, ensuring fidelity to the model. According to FIMC, the Medically Tailored Meal (MTM) Intervention Accreditation Criteria and Requirements (ACR) ensures that all FIMC-accredited MTM agencies provide the same level of service. Regardless of location, size, or the number of clients and meal plans, all FIMC-accredited agencies deliver high-quality medically tailored meal interventions that meet the needs of clients living with severe, complex, or chronic health conditions. By becoming an accredited agency, Open Arms earns trust and credibility within the medically tailored meal space, under the examination of the leading authority in the field, FIMC.
Accreditation did not happen overnight. It was the result of a comprehensive, organization-wide effort by many teams and individuals at Open Arms. Over the course of a year, FIMC conducted an extensive audit of the organization. An audit is an evaluation of an organization’s performance against the FIMC MTM Accreditation Criteria and Requirements (ACR). During the audit, the auditor reviewed documentation (e.g., procedures), examined records (e.g., client files), conducted interviews with staff and volunteers, and toured the facility to observe key practices (e.g., food safety in the kitchen). The audit assessed Open Arms based on the following eight pillars:
- General Requirements
- Fully Integrated Registered Dietitian Nutritionist(s) (RDN)
- Client Referrals, Eligibility, Intake and Disenrollment for MTM Nutrition
- Care Process Intervention: Medical Nutrition Therapy, Nutrition Counseling and Nutrition Education
- Medical Tailoring Following the FIMC Clinical Committee Guidelines
- Food Safety
- Community-based Volunteer-supported Services
- HIPAA Compliance
Achieving accreditation ensures that Open Arms meets strict standards, including food safety, HIPAA compliance, and medical nutrition therapy, guaranteeing that clients with complex health conditions receive top-tier care. This accomplishment fosters trust within the MTM community and reinforces Open Arms’ leadership in nourishing the most vulnerable. As of this publication, FIMC-accredited agencies include Food & Friends in Washington, D.C., Mama’s Kitchen in San Diego, Calif., and Project Angel Food in Los Angeles, Calif.
For more information on the accreditation process, we encourage you to visit FIMC’s website, where you can find a wealth of information about the process.
