Food is medicine field sees surge in research and policy support

The ‘food is medicine’ (FIM) public health field is seeing rapid growth in both scientific research and policy support. According to a report from the American Heart Association, research studies in the field increased by 68% between July 2025 and June 2026, with the number of randomized controlled trials quadrupling in a single year.

Governmental support is also expanding. Sixteen states have approved or are considering Medicaid waivers for FIM programs, and federal funding for the initiative increased by $24 million in the FY2026 spending bill. State evaluations suggest these programs are linked to lower hospitalization rates, reduced emergency department use, and overall lower healthcare costs.

On a local level, food banks are increasingly integrating nutrition-based interventions despite funding challenges. Organizations like Feeding the Gulf Coast and Facing Hunger Food Bank have worked to sustain these programs through periods of limited grant support, noting the high return on investment for community health. Feeding the Gulf Coast, for example, collaborates with University of South Alabama Health to screen patients for food insecurity and connect them with nutritional resources.