In Tampa, Florida, a fresh strategy is emerging to tackle hunger, with a focus on promoting overall health beyond just providing food.

During the Health and Hunger Summit on Wednesday, leaders from Feeding Tampa Bay introduced their latest initiative aimed at using nutrition as a pathway to improved medical outcomes. The gathering attracted hundreds eager to explore this innovative approach.

“Food insecurity is intrinsically linked to the health care crisis,” explained Thomas Mantz, the organization’s President and CEO. “Those we assist face tough decisions between purchasing food or medicine.”

The initiative’s cornerstone is a new neighborhood health clinic, developed in collaboration with Suncoast Community Health Centers. This clinic will offer primary health care services five days a week, accommodating both walk-in and scheduled appointments.

The mission is straightforward: to integrate health care into the community, making it more accessible and connecting patients to a comprehensive range of services. Once within the system, patients can utilize pharmacy support, receive X-rays, and gain access to dental care and other medical resources.

Health authorities emphasize the pressing need for such services, noting that approximately 30 to 40 percent of local residents do not have regular access to continuous health care.

For patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, the program goes even further. Doctors will combine medical treatment with customized weekly meals designed by dietitians to support each patient’s condition and improve outcomes.

“So along with the medications that we as doctors are going to give to them, also the nutrition aspect of it, so they’re able to improve their health care,” said Dr. Subhakararao Medidi, MD., with Suncoast Community Health.

Leaders believe this personalized approach could help reduce hospital visits while improving long-term health across the region.

“The next step we’re taking is saying, how can we make a person even healthier?” Mantz said.

The new Suncoast Neighborhood Health Clinic is now officially open. More information about services and eligibility can be found on