Home › Kidney
Food Help for Kidney Disease
~37M Americans live with chronic kidney disease (NKF). Renal diet is strict: potassium, phosphorus, sodium, protein restrictions. This page lists specific resources for CKD and dialysis patients: AKF, NKF, dialysis-center social workers, renal Food as Medicine.
IMPORTANT: Eating foods inappropriate for severe CKD (especially high in potassium or phosphorus) can cause medical emergency. Always consult your nephrologist or renal dietitian.
1. AKF Patient Programs — financial aid
American Kidney Fund operates the largest financial-assistance program for kidney patients in the US.
- AKF Health Insurance Premium Program (HIPP) — pays Medigap, Medicare Part B/D, COBRA, ACA Marketplace premiums for dialysis patients
- AKF Safety Net Program — aid for non-insurance covered costs: food + medications + transport
- AKF Disaster Relief — post-disaster aid
- Apply via dialysis social worker or akfhope.org
- AKF Hotline — 1-800-638-8299
2. National Kidney Foundation
- NKF Cares Helpline — 1-855-NKF-CARES (1-855-653-2273)
- NKF Patient Resources — kidney.org. Education + free virtual renal dietitians.
- NKF Local affiliates — chapters in many states with support groups + local resources
- NKF Kidney Walk — annual events with community resource connections
3. Dialysis meals
- In-clinic meals / snacks — most dialysis clinics (DaVita, Fresenius, US Renal Care) offer snacks/meals during 3-4 hour treatments
- Dialysis social worker — every clinic MUST have one (Medicare requires). Connects to pantries + financial aid.
- Renal dietitian — every clinic MUST have one. Education + meal plans + resource access.
- Transport to dialysis — often covered by Medicaid + AKF + dialysis center coordinates
4. Food as Medicine — renal meals
Some Food as Medicine (FaM) providers offer CKD-tailored meals — low potassium, phosphorus, sodium, controlled protein.
- Project Open Hand (CA), God\u0027s Love We Deliver (NYC), MANNA (Philly), Community Servings (MA) — all offer renal meals
- Project Renewal NY (NYC) — renal meals for unhoused patients
- FoodSmart Renal — foodsmart.com. Telehealth dietitian + meal kits with renal plans. Some Medicare Advantage plans cover.
- Magic Kitchen Renal — pre-prepared online meals. Some Medicare Advantage plans cover partially.
- Verify Medicare Advantage coverage — ask specifically "Does my plan cover Medically Tailored Meals for CKD?"
5. SNAP — medical deduction for CKD
Under 7 CFR 273.9(d)(1), if 60+ or disabled (Medicare ESRD qualifies as disabled), medical expenses over $35/month deduct from SNAP income.
- Medicare Part B + D premiums + copays
- Nephrologist visits + monthly lab work
- Transport to dialysis 3x/week (mileage + parking)
- Phosphate binders (Renvela, Auryxia, etc.)
- Potassium binders + bicarbonate
- Erythropoietin + activated vitamin D
- Medical equipment (chair, bathroom, BP cuff)
6. Medicare ESRD — special coverage
- Under Medicare ESRD under Section 1881 (PL 92-603, 1972), ANYONE with ESRD qualifies for Medicare regardless of age
- Covers dialysis + transplant + comorbidities
- Wait periods: 4 months for standard dialysis; no wait for home dialysis or transplant-needing patient
- Coordinates with Medicaid (dual-eligible)
- Medicare ESRD Hotline — 1-800-MEDICARE
7. Renal-friendly food
| Type | Good choices |
|---|---|
| Grains | white bread, white rice, white pasta (low phosphorus) |
| Proteins (limited) | chicken, lean fish (1-2 oz per meal in advanced CKD) |
| Vegetables | lettuce, cucumber, zucchini, peppers, cauliflower, cabbage |
| Fruits | apples, berries, grapes, pears, watermelon |
| Dairy (limited) | unsweetened almond milk, non-dairy creamer |
| AVOID | bananas, potatoes, tomatoes (high K), cola sodas (high P), processed (high Na) |
Need help today?
- AKF Hotline — 1-800-638-8299 (multilingual, 24/7)
- NKF Cares — 1-855-NKF-CARES (1-855-653-2273)
- Your dialysis social worker — first line of contact. Connects to resources.
- 211 — mention "dialysis" or "renal" for routing
- 1-800-MEDICARE — Medicare ESRD questions
Related resources
Last updated 2026-04-30. Feed America Inc. (EIN 92-1761881).