According to Gram Research analysis, Food is Medicine programs in the United States help people prevent and treat diseases by providing access to fresh, healthy food, but most programs don’t yet emphasize how plant-based eating also protects the environment. A 2024 study of 20 national experts found that while these programs successfully promote produce prescriptions and meal delivery services, they lack standardized practices and rarely communicate the planetary health benefits of sustainable diets. Experts identified supporting local farms and reducing food waste as key sustainability practices that could be systematically incorporated into these programs to benefit both human and environmental health.
A new study looked at how “Food is Medicine” programs in the United States could do more to help both people and the environment. Researchers talked to 20 experts who run these programs, which connect patients with fresh food to prevent and treat diseases like diabetes and heart disease. The experts agreed that plant-based eating is important, but most programs don’t talk about how eating more plants helps the planet. The study found that programs offering fresh produce prescriptions and meal delivery are working well, but they need better coordination and clearer messaging about environmental benefits. The biggest obstacles are political disagreements and policies that make it hard to support local farms and reduce food waste.
Key Statistics
A 2024 qualitative study of 20 Food is Medicine experts found that most programs focus on health benefits through produce prescriptions and medically tailored meals but lack explicit messaging about environmental and sustainability cobenefits.
According to research reviewed by Gram, experts identified supporting local and regenerative producers and reducing food waste as sustainability practices that could be systematically incorporated into Food is Medicine programs but face barriers from policy and political misalignment.
A 2024 analysis of Food is Medicine programs found that while experts largely agreed on the importance of plant-rich dietary patterns, programs varied widely with no standardized approach to measuring success or ensuring quality across the United States.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How programs that use food to treat diseases could also help protect the environment by promoting plant-based eating and sustainable farming practices.
- Who participated: Twenty national experts who run or lead Food is Medicine programs across the United States, interviewed between July and October 2024.
- Key finding: Most Food is Medicine programs focus on helping people eat healthier through fresh produce and meal delivery, but they rarely mention how plant-based eating also helps the environment.
- What it means for you: If you use a Food is Medicine program, you’re getting health benefits, but programs could do more to explain how your food choices help the planet. This could motivate people to stick with healthier eating long-term.
The Research Details
Researchers conducted one-on-one video interviews with 20 experts who work in Food is Medicine programs across the United States. These experts were selected because of their deep knowledge and experience in the field. The interviews were conducted between July and October 2024 and asked open-ended questions about how these programs define themselves, what plant-based eating means, and what challenges they face in promoting sustainable food practices. The researchers then analyzed the interview responses by looking for common themes and patterns, using a framework called the socioecological model, which examines how individual choices, community factors, and larger systems all influence health decisions.
This research approach is important because it captures the real-world perspectives of people actually running these programs. Rather than testing a specific diet or treatment, the researchers wanted to understand the bigger picture of how these programs work, what they’re doing well, and what barriers they face. This type of expert input is valuable for improving programs and policy because it comes from people with hands-on experience.
This study provides valuable insights from experienced professionals, but it’s based on interviews rather than measuring actual health outcomes. The findings represent expert opinions and observations, not proof that specific changes will work. The study was published in a peer-reviewed nutrition journal, which means other experts reviewed it for quality. However, because only 20 experts were interviewed, the findings may not represent all Food is Medicine programs across the country.
What the Results Show
The experts largely agreed on what plant-rich eating means: eating mostly vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, and nuts while eating less meat and processed foods. However, they disagreed on how to define Food is Medicine itself, with some seeing it as just providing fresh produce and others viewing it as a broader movement connecting food, health, and healthcare systems. Most experts said that produce prescription programs (where doctors prescribe fresh vegetables like medicine) and medically tailored meal services are good ways to promote plant-based eating. These programs work because they make healthy food accessible and affordable for people who might otherwise struggle to buy fresh produce. However, experts noted that these programs vary widely across the country, with no standard way of measuring success or ensuring quality.
The research identified several sustainability practices that could be built into Food is Medicine programs more systematically. Supporting local and regenerative farms (farms that use environmentally friendly practices) and reducing food waste were highlighted as particularly promising. Some pilot programs have already started incorporating these practices, but they often don’t explicitly tell participants about the environmental benefits. Experts also noted that programs rarely measure or track their impact on the environment, making it hard to know if these efforts are actually helping the planet.
This research builds on growing recognition that food systems affect both human health and environmental health. Previous studies have shown that plant-based diets are better for preventing chronic diseases and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This study adds new information by showing that Food is Medicine programs, which are expanding across the country, have not yet fully integrated sustainability messaging or practices. It highlights a gap between what experts know about the benefits of sustainable diets and what programs are actually communicating to patients.
This study interviewed only 20 experts, so the findings may not represent all Food is Medicine programs nationwide. The research captures expert opinions and observations rather than measuring actual program outcomes or patient health results. Because the interviews happened in 2024, some programs may have already made changes not reflected in this study. The research also doesn’t include the perspectives of patients or people using these programs, which could provide different insights. Finally, the study was conducted in the United States, so findings may not apply to other countries with different food systems and healthcare structures.
The Bottom Line
Food is Medicine programs should be expanded and supported because they help people access healthy food and prevent chronic diseases. Programs should also explicitly incorporate and communicate sustainability practices, such as sourcing from local farms and reducing food waste. Healthcare systems and policymakers should work together to standardize these programs and measure their success. These recommendations are based on expert consensus but would benefit from further research measuring actual health and environmental outcomes.
People with chronic diseases like diabetes or heart disease should care about this research because it shows how Food is Medicine programs can help them. Healthcare providers and hospital systems should care because these programs improve patient health. Environmental advocates should care because these programs could help reduce the food system’s impact on climate change. Policymakers should care because supporting these programs could reduce healthcare costs while also protecting the environment. People who cannot afford fresh, healthy food should care because these programs make nutritious food more accessible.
Health benefits from eating more plant-based foods typically appear within weeks to months, with improvements in blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure. Environmental benefits accumulate over time as more people shift to plant-based eating and support sustainable farming. However, for Food is Medicine programs to have large-scale impact, systemic changes in policy and food systems may take several years to implement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Food is Medicine program and how does it work?
Food is Medicine programs connect healthcare systems with food services to prevent and treat chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. They typically provide fresh produce prescriptions, medically tailored meals, or grocery delivery to help patients access healthy food affordably.
Can eating more plants really help the environment?
Yes. Plant-based diets require fewer resources to produce than meat-heavy diets and generate fewer greenhouse gases. Supporting local farms and reducing food waste further decreases environmental impact while improving nutrition.
Why don’t Food is Medicine programs talk more about environmental benefits?
A 2024 study of 20 experts found that most programs focus primarily on individual health outcomes and lack explicit messaging about planetary health benefits, even though pilot programs have incorporated sustainability practices.
What barriers prevent Food is Medicine programs from being more sustainable?
Experts identified policy obstacles, lack of political support, systems barriers that restrict local sourcing, and the absence of standardized practices across programs as major challenges to incorporating sustainability into Food is Medicine initiatives.
How quickly will I see health benefits from a Food is Medicine program?
Most people notice improvements in energy, blood sugar, and blood pressure within weeks to months of eating more plant-based foods. Long-term benefits include reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track the percentage of meals each week that are plant-based (vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts) and the number of times you purchase from local or sustainable sources. Set a goal to increase plant-based meals by 10-20% each month.
- If your Food is Medicine program provides produce prescriptions or meal delivery, use the app to log what you receive and how it affects your energy, blood sugar, or other health markers. This creates accountability and helps you see the connection between food and health.
- Monthly, review your plant-based meal percentage and note any changes in how you feel, your energy levels, or health measurements like weight or blood pressure. Also track your food waste and how much you’re buying from local sources. Share these metrics with your healthcare provider to show progress.
This article summarizes expert perspectives from a qualitative research study and should not be considered medical advice. Food is Medicine programs vary by location and may have different eligibility requirements. Before making significant dietary changes or enrolling in a Food is Medicine program, consult with your healthcare provider, especially if you have existing health conditions or take medications. This research represents expert opinions rather than clinical trial results, so individual outcomes may vary. Always work with qualified healthcare professionals when managing chronic diseases.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.