Hennepin Health program inspires members to eat healthy
The aroma of roasting vegetables and the hum of conversation fill the Teaching Kitchen at Hennepin Healthcare's Redleaf Center for Family Healing. Participants gather not just to cook but also to share stories, learn new skills and build healthier habits together.
Seated around a table with participants, instructor Jenny guides the group through the day's recipe, pausing to ask about favorite meals, family traditions and food memories. The class quickly becomes more than a cooking lesson. It becomes a space for community, connection and confidence-building.
This is the first step of Flavors of Health, a two-part program designed for Hennepin Health members (those enrolled in the county’s health insurance plan) managing diabetes, congestive heart failure, or experiencing pregnancy and postpartum.
Members begin with an interactive, community-focused cooking class offered at the Redleaf Center or NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center, where they learn how to prepare meals that support their health, taste good, and honor their cultural identities.
"The goal is to give members the opportunity to learn how to eat for the condition they have," said Population Health Specialist Jessica Cook, who oversees the day-to-day management of the program. "Our instructors are amazing at incorporating healthy insights into each lesson."
After attending a single class – though they may attend up to three a year – members become eligible for the program’s second component: eight weeks of free, culturally tailored groceries delivered directly to their home.
Through a partnership with NourishedRx, members can specify what foods they like or need to stay aligned with their cultural or dietary preferences. Each delivery includes fresh produce, proteins, dairy or non-dairy options, and pantry staples – enough to support members and their families.
"Food has a way of bringing people and families together," said Cook. "When members feel supported and able to cook for themselves or their families, we start to see early signs of improved well-being."
Flavors of Health participant Deron Pitts mixes ingredients at a cooking class at Hennepin Health's Redleaf Center for Family Healing.
Innovating healthier outcomes
In 2025, Flavors of Health received a Countywide Award for Innovation for its creative, sustainable approach to integrating food into healthcare.
"Food is medicine, but it’s also deeply personal," said Population Health Manager Vanessa Bembridge, who helped develop the program. "When you combine culturally meaningful foods with the skills to prepare them, people feel empowered before they even get the groceries."
Turning that philosophy into practice required an equally innovative approach to funding. The program uses Medicaid’s In Lieu of Services (ILOS) policy, which allows certain non-clinical services to be billed as medical care. This makes the Flavors of Health program both sustainable and scalable.
Though other organizations have used the In Lieu of Services policy to support food access, Flavors of Health is the first to integrate it with a hands-on educational experience. "The combination of in-person teaching and truly personalized grocery support is powerful," said Bembridge. "I haven’t seen any other plan doing it this way."
Flavors of Health is already showing promising results. Since its launch in February 2025, more than 100 members have completed the program, with 94% reporting improved knowledge and confidence in eating healthily. Among members who entered the program experiencing food insecurity, 61% reported improvement by the end; for nutrition insecurity, 77% saw gains.
Participants often describe leaving the class feeling more motivated and confident in their skills. "I love this program," said one member. "I’m learning to eat better, cook better, and feel better."
Many say they’re trying new ingredients for the first time and experimenting with recipes at home – showing the program's impact beyond the classroom. "It was my first time tasting ground chicken," said another member. "There’s so many things you can do with it after looking it up online. The program was really helpful!"
What’s next
Flavors of Health benefits from strong partnerships with Hennepin Healthcare, the Redleaf Center and NorthPoint. "Our partners are essential," said Bembridge. "Because we’re an accountable health model, we share responsibility for the well-being of our members. That collaboration is what makes a program like this possible."
For example, NorthPoint’s wrap-around services, including SNAP, WIC, and an onsite food pantry, help members stay connected to resources after the program ends.
With these core partnerships in place, the team is increasing its outreach to other county programs that regularly interact with residents managing chronic conditions.
"The more partners who can point eligible members our way, the greater impact we can have," said Bembridge. "It’s nice [the award] has caught the attention of other areas in the county that are thinking of us as a new point of collaboration. It energizes us to continue making progress."
Looking ahead, the team hopes to expand the program to include additional health conditions and offer class times that better fit members schedules. Online classes are also being explored to reach members with mobility limitations.
As the program evolves, Bembridge emphasized the focus remains on meeting members where they are and removing barriers to better health.
"At Hennepin Health, we just want the best for our members," she said. "Being part of something that feels this powerful and personal to people…it's just amazing to get to do this."
Learn more about the Flavors of Health program with Hennepin Health