What is "Food Is Medicine"?

Food Is Medicine

“Food Is Medicine” is the concept that nutritious food can play a key role in preventing, managing, and even treating serious health conditions. It recognizes that access to the right foods—especially for people living with chronic illnesses—is essential to improving health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. This includes medically tailored meals, nutrition counseling, and other interventions that use food as a core part of a person’s care plan. At the Food is Medicine Coalition Arizona, we believe food should be treated as a vital part of healthcare—not an afterthought.

What Are Produce Prescription Programs?

Produce Prescription Programs are healthcare interventions that allow doctors and healthcare providers to "prescribe" fresh fruits and vegetables to patients, often through vouchers or discounts that can be used at grocery stores or farmers markets. These programs are designed to help individuals—especially those with diet-related illnesses or food insecurity—access the nutritious foods they need to manage their health. By connecting patients to fresh produce, these programs aim to improve diet quality, support chronic disease management, and reduce long-term healthcare costs.

Medically Tailored Groceries

Medically tailored groceries are customized bags or boxes of healthy food, selected and packaged to meet the specific dietary needs of individuals with chronic or serious health conditions. Designed by registered dietitians or nutrition professionals, these grocery packages provide the ingredients needed to prepare meals that align with a person’s medical requirements—such as low-sodium, low-sugar, or heart-healthy diets. Unlike medically tailored meals, which are fully prepared, medically tailored groceries support clients who are able to cook at home but still need condition-specific nutrition to support their health.

What Are Medically Tailored Meals? (mtms)

Medically Tailored Meals

Medically Tailored Meals (MTMs) are a transformative approach to healthcare that recognizes the critical role nutrition plays in managing and preventing chronic illnesses. Designed by registered dietitian nutritionists and prepared by professional chefs, these meals are customized to meet the specific dietary needs of individuals with serious health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and cancer. Unlike generic meal plans, MTMs are prescribed by healthcare providers and are based on comprehensive nutritional assessments, ensuring that each meal supports the individual's medical treatment and overall well-being.

The importance of MTMs lies in their ability to improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. Studies have shown that providing MTMs to individuals with chronic illnesses can lead to better disease management, fewer hospital admissions, and enhanced quality of life. For instance, a study published in Health Affairs found that implementing MTM programs nationwide could save the U.S. healthcare system approximately $32.1 billion annually and prevent 3.5 million hospitalizations .

MTMs also address social determinants of health, such as food insecurity and access to nutritious meals, which are often barriers to effective disease management. By delivering meals directly to individuals' homes, MTM programs ensure that patients receive consistent, appropriate nutrition, which is especially beneficial for those with limited mobility or access to healthy food options .

Organizations like the Food is Medicine Coalition advocate for the integration of MTMs into standard healthcare practices, emphasizing their role in comprehensive patient care. As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, incorporating MTMs represents a shift towards more holistic, patient-centered approaches that prioritize nutrition as a key component of health.