Food For Thought: A Vision For Generative 'Food Is Medicine'

Top Things to Know

CBOs face inadequate payment rates, capacity needs, and complex administrative requirements, which hinder their sustainability and effectiveness.

A generative model involves equitable partnerships, adequate resources for CBOs, and prioritization of locally sourced, culturally relevant foods.

Philanthropic organizations and health care partners should expand efforts to support and advance a generative approach to Food Is Medicine.

Summary of Conclusion/Findings

The commentary from one of the HCXF science advisors reviewed the history and current state of the Food Is Medicine movement in the US, highlighting the extractive nature of many existing models. It proposes a generative model centered on community-based organizations (CBOs) and local food systems. The authors argue that CBOs are often undervalued and face challenges such as inadequate payment rates and complex administrative requirements. They envision a system where Food Is Medicine programs operate through mutually supportive partnerships among payers, health systems, and vendors, with CBOs having the necessary resources to source food locally, hire skilled staff, and distribute culturally relevant foods. The commentary calls for expanded efforts from philanthropic organizations and health care partners to support this generative approach.