What is ‘food is medicine’? – 2 experts explain this decades-old approach to healthcare that is taking on new life

Food is medicine is an approach to healthcare that has gained new relevance in recent years. This concept suggests that food should be treated with the same importance as medication in order to prevent, manage or treat specific health conditions. The idea is based on decades of scientific evidence that demonstrates the significant impact of our diet on overall health.

The term "food is medicine" encompasses various practices such as "food as medicine" and "food prescriptions." Researchers who focus on food access and health in rural communities have directly experienced the benefits and limitations of these programs in their local area. They acknowledge that while food is medicine programs can provide healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and healthy proteins, the effectiveness of these programs can vary depending on the community.

Food is medicine programs are often implemented through collaborations between nonprofit organizations, health clinics, and healthcare providers. These programs can take the form of curated food boxes, grocery vouchers, or medically tailored meals. The primary goal of these initiatives is to improve patient health, particularly for individuals with chronic conditions, while simultaneously reducing healthcare costs.

The need for food is medicine programs has become increasingly apparent, especially in the context of food insecurity. As of 2024, approximately 47 million Americans, including 7.3 million children, lived in households that were uncertain about their food supply. Internationally, the issue is even more widespread, with roughly 673 million people facing hunger. Rural populations are particularly vulnerable to food insecurity due to the loss of local grocery stores and the distance from urban centers.

In contrast to traditional food banks, which provide any available food, food is medicine programs focus on offering healthy options that are typically curated by a dietitian to optimize patient health. The program's approach has been supported by experts who argue that it is not the processing of food itself that leads to obesity and other health issues, but rather factors such as high calorie density, low fiber content, soft texture, and excessive fat or salt.

While the food is medicine movement is not directly connected to the "Make American Healthy Again" campaign, it has gained significant attention in recent times. In January 2026, the second Trump administration launched a campaign encouraging Americans to "Eat Real Food." Notably, Dr. Jack Geiger, a civil rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner, was one of the early proponents of prescribing food as medicine in the 1960s, advocating for food as the most specific therapy for malnutrition.

Since then, thousands of community organizations have joined the movement, providing healthy food to vulnerable communities. Research suggests that food is medicine programs have the potential to prevent or manage chronic conditions, which could save the U.S. healthcare system an estimated $4.3 trillion annually.

In addition to its impact in the United States, food is medicine has started to gain international momentum. In 2025, the Rockefeller Foundation supported a meeting of international experts to discuss the future of these programs.