Published in 2024, the Food Is Medicine Landscape Summary [PDF - 3.5 MB] is the federal government's first landscape analysis of Food Is Medicine, establishing a baseline understanding of the field while recognizing that research, programs, and policies continue to evolve. Emerging opportunities in the landscape include greater integration of nutrition into healthcare, expanded research, policy innovation, new payment pathways, and cross-sector partnerships.
The following key resources and institutions directly inform and support the work of Food Is Medicine, including research, policy, and programs. They offer additional perspectives on the evolving Food Is Medicine landscape and are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a comprehensive list or an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Research and Evidence
Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Nine in 10 dollars of U.S. healthcare spending goes to treating chronic disease, much of which is linked to diet and lifestyle. This includes spending on illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and heart failure.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans — with the latest version released in January 2026 — provide the federal government's evidence-based recommendations on healthy eating patterns and serve as the foundation for many nutrition, public health, and Food Is Medicine initiatives.
Food Is Medicine Institute at Tufts University
The Food Is Medicine Institute conducts research, policy analysis, and implementation studies to better understand how nutrition interventions can improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
PubMed Food Is Medicine Literature Collection
PubMed’s collection of Food Is Medicine literature provides access to a growing body of peer-reviewed research examining the effectiveness, implementation, and outcomes of Food Is Medicine interventions.
Rockefeller Foundation Food Is Medicine Initiative
The Rockefeller Foundation supports research, demonstration projects, and cross-sector collaborations designed to accelerate the evidence base and adoption of Food Is Medicine approaches.
Aspen Institute Food & Society Program – Food Is Medicine
Aspen Institute Food & Society Program convenes leaders across sectors and develops reports, research agendas, and strategic frameworks to advance Food Is Medicine policy and practice.
Implementation and Scaling
Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) – Food Is Medicine
CHCS provides practical implementation tools, case studies, financing resources, and technical assistance to help states, health plans, and providers integrate Food Is Medicine interventions into care delivery.
HealthBegins offers implementation frameworks, technical assistance, and tools that help healthcare organizations address nutrition and other health-related social needs through community partnerships.
American Heart Association Health Care by Food™
Health Care by Food™ provides evidence-based tools and implementation resources that help healthcare organizations embed nutrition and Food Is Medicine strategies into clinical practice.
Teaching Kitchen Collaborative
The Teaching Kitchen Collaborative supports the use of culinary medicine and experiential nutrition education to improve health outcomes and promote healthy behavior change.
Policy and Practice Organizations
National Produce Prescription Collaborative (NPPC)
NPPC works to expand access to produce prescription programs through policy development, research, technical assistance, and cross-sector collaboration.
The Food Is Medicine Coalition advances medically tailored nutrition interventions through research, quality standards, policy advocacy, and implementation support.
Harvard Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation (CHLPI) – Food Is Medicine Resources
CHLPI develops legal, policy, and financing resources that support the integration and reimbursement of Food Is Medicine interventions within healthcare systems.
