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NYS FAM Research
Resource Guide

Food is Medicine: Peer-Reviewed Research in the U.S.

This document reviews studies on Food is Medicine interventions, which integrate nutrition into healthcare to improve patient outcomes. It categorizes services into Medically Tailored Meals (MTMs), Medically Tailored Food Packages, and Nutritious Food Referrals, all designed to address diet-related health conditions. Overall, the evidence highlights the role of food-based interventions in that lead to improved health, reduced healthcare costs, and better dietary behaviors.

Center for Health, Law, and Policy Innovation (CHLPI). (2020, December). Food Is Medicine : Peer-Reviewed Research In The U.S. - Medically Tailored Meals, Medically Tailored Food Packages, and Nutritious Food Referrals. Harvard Law School. https://chlpi.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Food-is-Medicine_Peer-Reviewed-Research-in-the-U.S.1.pdf

Food as Medicine Research

2020

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Food is Prevention: The Case for Integrating Food and Nutrition Interventions into Healthcare (CHLPI)

This report by CHLPI argues for integrating food and nutrition interventions into healthcare to prevent and manage chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. It highlights three key strategies: medically tailored meals, subsidies for healthy food, and nutrition education, all of which improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. The report advocates for healthcare systems to adopt these interventions as part of comprehensive preventive care.

Downer, S., Greenwald, R., Broad Leib, E., Wittkop, K., Hayashi, K., Leonce, M., Menchaca, M. (2025, July). Food is Prevention: The Case for Integrating Food and Nutrition Interventions into Healthcare. Center for Health, Law, and Policy Innovation (CHLPI), Harvard Law School. https://chlpi.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Food-is-Prevention-Report-July-2015.pdf

Food as Medicine Research

2015

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Food is Medicine Research Action Plan (CHLPI & the Aspen Institute)

The 2024 Food is Medicine Research Action Plan by the Aspen Institute outlines a strategy for integrating nutrition interventions, such as medically tailored meals and produce prescriptions, into healthcare to prevent and manage chronic diseases. It emphasizes addressing health disparities, particularly in Black and Latinx communities, and calls for equity-centered research to measure the effectiveness of these interventions. The report provides recommendations for advancing research, engaging communities, and ensuring food-based healthcare solutions are accessible and impactful.

Hager, K. PhD, MS, Kummer, C., Lewin-Zwerdling, A. PhD, MPA, Li, Z., MS. (2024, April). Food is Medicine: Research Action Plan. Food & Society, Aspen Institute. https://aspenfood.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Food-is-Medicine-Action-Plan-2024-Final.pdf

Food as Medicine Research

2024

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Food as Medicine: How Food and Diet Impact the Treatment of Disease and Disease Management

The "Food as Medicine" report by the Food as Medicine Center highlights the crucial role of nutrition in preventing and managing chronic diseases, advocating for integrating food-based interventions into healthcare. It discusses key strategies like medically tailored meals, produce prescription programs, and nutrition education, which have been shown to improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. The report calls for policy changes and collaboration among healthcare providers, policymakers, and community organizations to make nutrition a central component of medical care.

Platkin, C., Cather, A., Butz, L., Garcia, I., Gallanter, M., Leung, MM. (2020, March 30). Food As Medicine: How Food and Diet Impact the Treatment of Disease and Disease Management. Center for Food As Medicine and Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center. https://foodmedcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/foodasmedicine.pdf

Food as Medicine Research

2022

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NYU Stern and Cornell Launch FoodMap NY Research Program to Identify Barriers and Solutions to Food and Nutrition Insecurity

The FoodMap NY research program, launched by NYU Stern and Cornell University, aims to identify barriers to food and nutrition insecurity in New York State and develop solutions to improve access to fresh, nutrient-dense foods. Key strategies include subsidized produce programs, alternative food purchasing models, and enhanced food distribution infrastructure to support underserved communities. The initiative also focuses on fostering economic opportunities, particularly for women and BIPOC individuals, by creating stable jobs in agriculture and food entrepreneurship.

NYU Stern, Center for Sustainable Business (CSB). (2022, May 16). NYU Stern and Cornell Launch FoodMapNY Research Program to Identify Barriers and Solutions to Food and Nutrition Insecurity. New York University. https://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/about/departments-centers-initiatives/centers-of-research/center-sustainable-business/news-events/news-insights/nyu-stern-and-cornell-launch-foodmap-ny-research-program-identify-0

Food as Medicine Research

2022

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Making Science Messages Stick in a Crowded Landscape

This article discusses strategies for effectively communicating scientific information in a way that engages both consumers and experts. While public trust in science is high, the challenge lies in making messages resonate by balancing credible data with compelling storytelling. The authors emphasize the importance of emotional connection, aligning messages with audience values, and using clear, relatable language. By tailoring communication strategies and finding common ground, science communicators can enhance the impact and retention of their messages.

Curran, J.O., Mikita, J. (2023, March 15). Making Science Message Stick in a Crowded Landscape. O'Dwyer's. https://www.odwyerpr.com/story/public/19327/2023-03-15/making-science-messages-stick-crowded-landscape.html

Food as Medicine Research

2023

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Food is Medicine Program Standards

The "Food is Medicine Program Definitions and Standards" document, updated by the Food is Medicine Massachusetts (FIMMA) coalition, establishes standardized guidelines for implementing Food is Medicine (FIM) interventions to improve health outcomes for individuals with diet-related chronic illnesses. It defines key programs such as Medically Tailored Meals (MTMs), Medically Tailored Food Packages, Nutritious Food Referrals, and Community-Level Healthy Food Programs, ensuring consistency in service delivery. The document outlines eligibility criteria, staffing requirements, and evaluation metrics to integrate these programs effectively into healthcare systems. By following these standards, organizations can expand access to nutrition services, promoting health equity and reducing healthcare costs.

Food is Medicine Massachusetts. (2021, May). Food Is Medicine: Program Definitions and Standards. FIMMA. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5c82ced1a56827591142c3df/t/60c8e2753b50360b5bd43b5d/1623777911566/FIM+Program+Standards+updated+6.10.21.pdf

Food as Medicine Research

2021

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Healthcare X Food Research Hub

The Health Care by Food (HCXF) Research Hub, led by the American Heart Association (AHA), supports research on food-as-medicine interventions to prevent and manage diet-related diseases. The hub highlights 23 pilot studies and two secondary data analyses, providing evidence on integrating nutrition into healthcare. It serves as a centralized resource for researchers, policymakers, and healthcare professionals, offering research articles and collaboration opportunities. By funding and promoting these studies, the HCXF Research Hub advances food-based interventions to improve health outcomes and inform clinical practice.

Health Care X Food. (2025). HCXF Research Hub. American Heart Association. https://www.healthcarexfood.org/en/knowledge-hub/hcxf-research-hub#sortCriteria=%40studyz32xstatus%20ascending

Food as Medicine Research

2026

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Editorial: Food as Medicine

The "Editorial: Food As Medicine" by Andrea K. Boggild, published in Frontiers in Nutrition, highlights the growing recognition of nutrition as a critical tool for preventing and managing chronic diseases. It emphasizes the need for integrating food-based interventions into healthcare systems to improve patient outcomes. The article calls for robust research and evidence-based guidelines to effectively implement food-as-medicine strategies.

Boggild, A.K. (2024, October 8). Editorial: Food As Medicine. Frontiers: Frontiers in Nutrition. Vol. 11, Sec. Nutrition and Metabolism. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1490232

Food as Medicine Research

2024

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Food as Medicine Report: How Food and Diet Impact the Treatment of Disease and Disease Management

This document explores the impact of food and diet on disease treatment, prevention, and management. It emphasizes the role of nutrition in health outcomes and discusses how dietary choices can influence the progression and management of various diseases. The report also highlights the importance of integrating food-based interventions into healthcare practices to promote overall well-being.

Center For Food As Medicine & Longevity. (2022-2025). Food As Medicine Report. Hunter College New York City Food Policy Center. https://foodmedcenter.org/food-as-medicine-report/

Food as Medicine Research

2022

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Feeding America: Food as Medicine 3.0

This report provides results and key learnings from Year 2 of the Food as Medicine 3.0 (FAM3) program, facilitated by Feeding America, and participating food banks. This program is a three-year initiative that supports food bank-health care partnerships and interventions to serve patients who screen positive for food insecurity in health care settings.

Feeding America. (2025, May). Food as Medicine 3.0 - Year 2. https://www.feedingamerica.org/sites/default/files/2025-07/FAM3-Year2-Report_Final.pdf

Food as Medicine Research

2025

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Food as medicine through the lenses of Food Access, Justice, and Sovereignty

The article "Food as Medicine through the Lenses of Food Insecurity and Health Equity" explores how food-based interventions can address nutritional deficiencies and reduce health disparities. It emphasizes the link between food insecurity and poor health outcomes, advocating for policies that ensure equitable access to nutritious foods. The authors highlight the role of healthcare providers in screening for food insecurity and implementing culturally appropriate nutrition interventions to improve overall health equity.

Gonzalez, N., Samad, I., Thomas, O., Rice, J., Valdez, R., Burt, K. (2025, February). Food as medicine through the lenses of Food Access, Justice, and Sovereignty. Current Opinion in Pediatrics. 37(1), 13-18. DOI: 10.1097/MOP.0000000000001417

Food as Medicine Research

2025

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FDA Proposes Requiring At-a-Glance Nutrition Information on the Front of Packaged Foods | FDA

The FDA has proposed a new rule requiring front-of-package (FOP) nutrition labels on most packaged foods to provide at-a-glance information on saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars levels. This initiative aims to help consumers make healthier dietary choices and combat the rise in chronic diseases linked to poor nutrition. If finalized, the rule would complement existing Nutrition Facts labels and enhance public health by making key nutrition details more accessible.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2025, January 14). FDA Proposes Requiring At-a-Glance Nutrition Information on the Front of Packaged Foods. FDA. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-proposes-requiring-glance-nutrition-information-front-packaged-foods

Food as Medicine Research

2025

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Food Insecurity in Pregnancy, Receipt of Food Assistance, and Perinatal Complications

The study examines food insecurity during pregnancy in Northern California during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on maternal and child health outcomes. The findings indicate that food insecurity is associated with worse health outcomes for both mothers and their children, underscoring the need for targeted interventions. The study also highlights the role of food assistance programs in mitigating these negative effects, emphasizing their importance in promoting maternal and child well-being.

Chehab, R.F., Croen, L.A., Laraia, B.A., et al. (2025, January 23). Food Insecurity in Pregnancy, Receipt of Food Assistance, and Perinatal Complications. JAMA Netw Open. 8(1):e2455955. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.55955

Food as Medicine Research

2025

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This is the moment: advancing Food is Medicine through research

The article "This is the moment: advancing Food is Medicine through research" underscores the critical need for robust research to support the integration of food-based interventions into healthcare. It highlights the importance of evidence-based studies to validate the efficacy of these interventions in preventing and managing chronic diseases. The authors advocate for comprehensive research efforts to establish standardized guidelines, ensuring that food-as-medicine strategies are effectively implemented to improve public health outcomes.

Jury, Nicholas J. et al. (2025, April). This is the moment: advancing Food is Medicine through research. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 121(4), 754 - 757. https://ajcn.nutrition.org/article/S0002-9165(25)00015-2/fulltext

Food as Medicine Research

2025

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