Bringing Fresh, Local Food to Your Table
Welcome
Just Roots helps people across Massachusetts get access to healthy, local food and nutrition education. We believe food is an important part of health.
As part of the Massachusetts Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) Nutrition Supports benefit, Just Roots works with healthcare providers to help connect eligible MassHealth members to food and nutrition programs.
This page and questionnaire are for:
- Patients
- Caregivers
- Healthcare and care team members
The questions below can help you understand what nutrition supports may be available and whether taking the next step makes sense. Completing this form is a first step and does not guarantee enrollment.
Just Roots currently works with Atrius Health, Berkshire Fallon Health, and Boston Medical Center/ WellSense Community Alliance. Services are available statewide, except for the island counties.
HRSN Nutrition Supports are MassHealth benefits that help eligible members access healthy food and nutrition education as part of their healthcare.
These supports are designed to help people who:
- Have difficulty getting enough healthy food
- Have health conditions that can improve with better nutrition
- Would benefit from food and nutrition support as part of their care
Eligibility for HRSN Nutrition Supports is set by MassHealth and coordinated with healthcare providers and Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs).
Eligibility may depend on:
- Being enrolled in MassHealth
- Health or nutrition-related needs
- Food insecurity or trouble accessing healthy food
- A referral from a healthcare provider or care team
Answering the questions in this tool helps determine whether a referral or next step may be appropriate. It does not guarantee enrollment.
You can also talk directly with your healthcare provider if you have questions about eligibility or enrollment.
For patients unable to prepare their own meals, this program is most effective if a caregiver or support person is available to assist with meal preparation.
Just Roots works with Atrius Health, Berkshire Fallon Health, and Boston Medical Center/ WellSense Community Alliance to provide nutritionally appropriate food through our Farm to Family program.
Our role includes:
- Serving as a central place to start the referral and intake process
- Helping screen and enroll participants
- Coordinating referrals to Just Roots programs or trusted community partners
- Providing fresh, local food from our farm and other New England farms
- Offering nutrition education and cooking support
We work closely with your healthcare provider to make sure support is coordinated and meets your needs.
Through HRSN Nutrition Supports, eligible participants may receive nutritionally appropriate food boxes, also called farm shares.
What participants may receive:
Healthy Food
- Regular CSA-style food boxes
- Fresh, local, and seasonal produce
- Proteins and other foods sourced from New England farms
Nutrition and Cooking Support
- Simple recipes and cooking tips
- Cooking videos and demonstrations
- Kitchen tools or equipment, when available
- Nutrition education
- Bilingual and culturally responsive resources
Help Navigating Food and Nutrition Benefits
- Support understanding available nutrition programs
- Referrals to other food or education resources
- Coordination with healthcare providers and care teams
Final eligibility and services are confirmed with healthcare providers and ACO partners.
Just Roots provides intake and referral services across Massachusetts, except for the island counties.
Depending on where you live, your food may be provided by Just Roots or one of our trusted partners, including:
- World Farmers
- Nourishing the North Shore
- Berkshire Bounty
- Food For Free
- Sustainable Cape
Care teams are welcome to complete this tool with patients or to support referrals.
Just Roots works closely with:
- Atrius Health
- Berkshire Fallon Health
- Boston Medical Center/ WellSense Community Alliance
Our goal is to make the referral and intake process clear, supportive, and centered on the patient.
If you have questions or need help completing the assessment, please contact us.
Irene Blasco, Food is Medicine Manager
irene@justroots.org
413-367-4499