Food is Medicine Gains Federal Momentum
Nutrition is no longer being discussed as something separate from healthcare.
On March 26, 2026, U.S. Representative Jim McGovern, alongside Representatives Vern Buchanan, Chellie Pingree and Emilia Sykes, led a bipartisan letter urging congressional appropriators to provide federal funding that would better integrate nutrition into the U.S. healthcare system. The letter was sent as part of the FY 2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies funding process.
The request brought forward focuses on Food is Medicine initiatives, including medically tailored meals, groceries, produce prescriptions, nutritional education, maternal health support and expanded research into diet as it pertains to chronic diseases.
In the United States, diet-related disease is a major driver of chronic illness and healthcare spending. In the letter, lawmakers wrote that good nutrition is fundamental for restoring and maintaining health. Notedly, poor diets are tied to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, mental health, cancer and so much more. The letter also points to the high economic burden of food insecurity and poor nutrition. The financial cost is represented through combined healthcare spending and lost productivity estimated to exceed 1.1 trillion annually.
What Lawmakers Are Asking For
The bipartisan coalition is requesting targeted investments that would make nutrition a stronger part of healthcare delivery.
The letter asks for $25 million for the National Institutes of Health Office of the Director to support Food is Medicine research and launch Food is Medicine Networks or Centers of Excellence. It also requests at least $5 million for the Department of Health and Human Services to support ongoing Food is Medicine work. Furthermore, $3.13 billion is being requested for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) bipartisan program that delivers cost-effective and community-centered food is medicine programs like medically tailored meals.
The lawmakers also call for stronger coordination across federal agencies, including HHS, NIH, HRSA, USDA, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Indian Health Service. The goal is to collect and share best practices, improve evaluation and help states and healthcare partners implement Food is Medicine programs more effectively.
Another major focus is expanding access to medically tailored meals, medically tailored groceries and produce prescriptions. The letter directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to identify programs and collaborations that could help facilitate coverage for these interventions.
What are Medically Tailored Meals?
Medically tailored meals (often abbreviated as MTMs) are prepared meals designed by registered dietitians to meet a person’s specific medical needs. They’re typically provided to people managing serious or diet-sensitive conditions. MTM’s become especially when cooking or accessing healthy food is difficult. They are based on therapeutic, evidence-based dietary specifications and are typically assigned after an assessment of an individual’s nutritional needs by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.
Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) tailor each meal plan to disease-specific conditions, ensuring that the nutritional approach aligns with the clinical needs of the individual. This means the plan is not generalized but built around the specific demands of conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, or cancer.
It is important to note that this is different from general healthy eating advice. For many chronic conditions, nutrition is not as simple as being told to eat healthier. Patients may need meals that consider the nuances of micro and macro nutrients in comparison to their condition. Another key factor can include texture, medical interactions, and personal preference to increase long term adherence. Because of these reasons, a medically tailored meal approach helps turn nutrition guidance into something practical, consistent and easy to follow.
Why Medically Tailored Meals are the Next Step
Food access is essential, but access alone does not always solve the full problem.
Someone managing diabetes, heart disease, kidney concerns, obesity, cancer recovery or another chronic condition may need more than ingredients. They may need structured personalized nutrition and support. They may also be dealing with fatigue, mobility limitations, financial stress, time constraints, or confusion about what they should be eating.
That is where medically tailored meals and personalized nutrition platforms become especially meaningful.
A patient may understand that nutrition matters, but still struggle to plan meals, shop, cook and track. Medically tailored meals help reduce that burden by turning clinical nutrition guidance into ready-to-eat support. When paired with dietitian-informed personalization and digital tools, this model can help people follow nutrition plans for long term effectiveness.
What this Means for Healthcare
The bipartisan funding request reflects a larger shift in how healthcare leaders are thinking about prevention, chronic disease and cost.
Instead of treating nutrition as an afterthought, Food is Medicine models recognize food as part of care. For patients, this can mean better support between appointments. For providers, it can create more practical tools to help patients follow care plans. For insurers, employers and healthcare systems, it offers a prevention-focused approach that may help improve outcomes and reduce avoidable costs over time.
This is especially important because chronic disease management often happens in daily routines. What people eat every day can shape energy, blood sugar, cardiovascular health, gut health, weight management, medication adherence and overall wellbeing.
How Nurish’d Creates Action from Access
Nurish’d is built around the idea that nutrition should be personalized, practical and easy to follow. As Food is Medicine gains federal attention, platforms like Nurish’d can help bridge the gap between healthcare recommendations and everyday meals. Nurish’d supports personalized nutrition through meal planning, dietitian-informed guidance and tools designed to help people understand how their food choices align with their goals.
The future of healthcare is not only about treating illness after it appears. It is also about helping people build healthier routines earlier, managing chronic conditions more effectively and accessing nutrition support that fits their real lives.
The recent bipartisan letter is not just a policy update. It is a signal that nutrition is becoming a bigger part of the conversation around healthcare. Medically tailored meals may be one of the most practical ways to bring that vision to life.
As Food is Medicine continues to gain momentum, Nurish’d supports organizations across healthcare, food systems, and insurance.
For Registered Dietitians and Wellness Providers: Scale personalized nutrition with tools designed for real-life adherence, learn more here.
For Grocery and Food Service Providers: Expand your offerings with medically tailored meal solutions. Explore solutions on this page.
For Insurance Providers: Enhance member health outcomes through personalized nutrition support. See how it works and book a demo.
Together, we can expand access to Food is Medicine and bring it into everyday care.
FAQ
What does “Food is Medicine” mean?
“Food is Medicine” refers to healthcare approaches that treat nutrition as part of care—not separate from it. It includes interventions like medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, nutrition education, and programs that help prevent or better manage diet-related chronic conditions.
What are lawmakers asking for in the federal funding request?
The bipartisan letter urges Congress to fund efforts that better integrate nutrition into healthcare delivery. Key requests include $25M to support Food is Medicine research, plus at $5M to continue Food is Medicine work and build stronger coordination across government agencies.
What are medically tailored meals (MTMs), and how are they different from general healthy eating advice?
Medically tailored meals are prepared meals designed by registered dietitians to meet an individual’s specific medical needs (often for serious or diet-sensitive conditions). Unlike broad nutritional guidance, MTMs follow therapeutic, evidence-based nutrition specifications and can account for nutrient targets, food medication considerations, texture needs, and personal preferences. Because of these factors, the plan more practical and easier to follow consistently.
How does Nurish’d fit into the Food is Medicine movement?
As nutrition becomes more integrated into care, Nurish’d is positioned to help turn recommendations into everyday action. Nurish’d provides access to personalized nutrition, meal planning, dietitian-informed guidance, and tools that help people align food choices with health goals.
