Incorporating a Produce Prescription Intervention Into Clinical Practice: Lessons Learned From a Food Is Medicine Intervention

Top Things to Know

Providing culturally relevant culinary education and condition-specific recipes (e.g., for diabetes or hypertension) helps patients better manage their health through food, reinforcing the therapeutic role of nutrition.

Successful FIM programs require multidisciplinary collaboration, standardized processes, and leadership support to ensure smooth integration into clinical workflows.

By offering financial support for fresh produce and nutrition education, FIM interventions like PRx can reduce barriers to healthy eating, particularly for vulnerable populations, and serve as a scalable model for addressing chronic disease through dietary change.

Summary of Conclusion/Findings

The article describes the implementation of a produce prescription (PRx) pilot program for 545 military veterans experiencing food insecurity and diet-related conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Conducted across two Veterans Affairs health systems, the program provided participants with $100 monthly to purchase fresh produce, along with nutrition education through group classes and one-on-one counseling. The initiative aimed to integrate Food is Medicine (FIM) principles into clinical practice, addressing both dietary needs and social determinants of health. Key findings highlight the importance of early planning, leadership buy-in, standardized workflows, and tailored culinary education. Providers emphasized the need for frequent communication, infrastructure assessment, and culturally appropriate materials. While outcome data is still being collected, the program offers valuable insights into the logistical and operational challenges of embedding FIM interventions in healthcare settings.