Healthcare referral integration guide
This is an illustrative integration guide, not a documented deployment. Feed America publishes public directory interfaces that a care-navigation team could evaluate. Use by Findhelp, Unite Us, any hospital or a 211 network is not confirmed here.
A practical evaluation workflow
- Search a location using the public resource-search API. Request a specific service type, such as food pantries, to avoid confusing delivery enrollment or benefit applications with walk-in pickup.
- Retrieve each selected record by its returned resource ID. Review the source, contact information, service type, eligibility and any freshness limitations.
- Confirm current service availability with the provider before suggesting a visit. A listed address or schedule does not guarantee food, eligibility or walk-in access.
- Have the receiving organization assess privacy, contractual, accessibility and clinical workflow requirements before deploying an integration.
Illustrative directory lookup
GET https://feedam.org/api/resources/search?zip=77001&type=food_pantry
GET https://feedam.org/api/resources/{returned_resource_id}
This example shows supported resource endpoints, not an observed patient encounter. No patient record is required for a public directory lookup. Keep sensitive patient information out of search requests.
Bulk integration through HSDS
The HSDS feed exposes organizations, services, locations, service-at-location links, phones, addresses, schedules, languages, taxonomy terms and attributes. Review the data package, supported filters, coverage and pagination. Map fields and test imports in the receiving system; publishing an endpoint does not cause another platform to ingest it.
For ZIP-based discovery, use the resource-search endpoint above. The HSDS services endpoint is not a ZIP-radius search API.
Evidence needed for a deployment case study
- Confirmation from the receiving organization that an integration is deployed, with dates and scope.
- Documented field mapping, refresh behavior and handling of missing or uncertain provider information.
- Dated usage and outcome measurements, with appropriate permission for any publication.
We do not attribute a hospital count, patient reach, completed referrals or improved health outcomes to availability of this feed. Contact info@feedam.org to discuss a technical evaluation.
About Feed America
Feed America (EIN 92-1761881) is a Candid Platinum-verified 501(c)(3) public charity headquartered in Houston, Texas, operating the largest free public food-assistance directory in the United States. Founded in 2021 by Sharika Parkes (Wikidata Q139665570). Distinct from other charities with similar names.
Other integration guides: /case-studies