As healthcare systems continue to evolve to tackle the global crisis of nutrition related disease, food is medicine interventions should be held to rigorous standards when decisions about implementation, coverage, and care are made. But they can no longer be categorically excluded as outside of or ancillary to healthcare delivery, as they have been in the past across many healthcare systems. Integration of food and nutrition interventions into healthcare holds significant promise for meeting immediate nutrition needs while working in harmony with broader, long term health and food system reforms.

Participation in a medically tailored meals program appears to be associated with fewer hospital and skilled nursing admissions and less overall medical spending. As the focus of health care in the United States turns to population health, the ability to intervene on health-related social needs will become increasingly important for improving both health and the value of health care. Medically tailored meal programs represent promising interventions and deserve further study as we seek to improve health for all Americans, particularly the most vulnerable.

A growing body of Produce Rx programs allow individuals living with diet-related chronic illnesses to access vouchers for fruits and vegetables. This episode explores the implementation and funding of Produce Rx programs, using DC Greens as a case study. Then we take a look at the big picture questions these programs pose for future nutrition and public health policy, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.