Table 2.

Typology of healthcare-based food assistance programmes

	Provides food directly	Refers to resources that provide food assistance	Provides vouchers to purchase food
Recipients	Patients who are both food insecure and have a diagnosis of chronic disease (e.g. diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, or cancer, etc.). Sometimes participants with food insecurity and no additional eligibility requirements.	All patients who screen positive for food insecurity	Patients who are both food insecure and have a diagnosis of cardiometabolic disease (e.g. diabetes mellitus or cardiovascular disease, etc.) or health status associated with nutritional risk (e.g. pregnancy, obesity, or underweight, etc.)
Length of Intervention	Ongoing, allows for repeat use by participants.	One-time intervention to connect people to resources	Time-bound, providing resources for an average of 3–6 months
Type of Food	Both produce and non-perishable foods	No type of food prioritised (referral to programming, regardless of food provided)	Priority to provide produce (fruits and vegetables)
Choice of Food	Limited choice, if any. Typically offer standard bags of food that do not provide patient with choices	No tangible food provided	Moderate choices offered. Allow participants to choose foods within certain parameters (e.g. fruits and vegetables)
Education	Typically provides nutrition education, sometimes with cooking demonstrations included	No education provided	Often provides nutrition education, sometimes includes cooking demonstrations
Partnerships	Partnerships with CBOs to obtain food to be distributed.	No formal partnerships required. Some programmes set up direct lines to local CBOs (e.g. food pantries, food banks, Feeding America franchise).	Partnerships with food purveyors (e.g. farmers, grocery stores) to accept vouchers.
Reach	Varied. Can be limited in size or available to a large proportion of patients (in the case of on-site gardens, pantries)	Significant. Available to a large proportion of patients. Successful reach may be dependent on capacity of referred CBOs.	Limited in size
Staffing	Referral and enrollment process facilitated by varying clinic staff members. Two programmes were entirely open access.	No permanent staff focused on this programming. Often filled though research staff roles	Often require a physician to refer patient into programme