In a groundbreaking effort to address food insecurity and diet-related health challenges among U.S. veterans, The Rockefeller Foundation, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), has announced the expansion of its “Food is Medicine” (FIM) initiative. This new phase includes pilot programs in Maryland, New York, North Carolina, and Utah, as well as Texas, to combat high rates of chronic diseases and food insecurity among veterans.
The announcement, made during a Capitol Hill event co-hosted by Representatives Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Chellie Pingree (D-ME), builds upon earlier FIM projects in Texas and Utah, which have shown promising results in improving health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs through nutrition-based interventions. The initiative aims to serve over 2,000 veterans across the five states, focusing on scalable solutions that improve both physical and mental health.
James Stavridis, retired U.S. Navy Admiral and Chair of The Rockefeller Foundation Board of Trustees, emphasized the critical role nutrition plays in veterans’ health. “Having witnessed the impacts of food insecurity and diet-related illness during my time in the Navy, I understand the importance of integrating nutrition into healthcare plans. The expansion of these programs is an opportunity to significantly improve the health and well-being of our veterans,” he stated.
Veterans face higher rates of chronic health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity compared to the general population. In fact, one in four post-9/11 veterans faces food insecurity, and many are at greater risk for diet-related diseases. Furthermore, an alarming 75% of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan were overweight or obese upon their first visits to the VA Health Administration.
The new pilots will focus on a range of Food is Medicine solutions, including produce prescription programs, which provide veterans with access to fresh fruits and vegetables. In Maryland, 250 veterans in rural areas will receive bi-monthly deliveries of locally sourced produce as part of a year-long pilot program, supported by 4P Foods and evaluated by the University of Utah.
In North Carolina, The Rockefeller Foundation, alongside Reinvestment Partners, will distribute $100 monthly grocery cards to 1,000 veterans in Durham, focusing on helping veterans access healthy food options. This initiative builds on previous efforts aimed at increasing veteran participation in the EatWell program.
New York will also see the launch of a medically tailored grocery delivery program, which will deliver up to $100 worth of perishable and non-perishable items to 250 veterans in Syracuse. This program, in collaboration with the VA and supported by Instacart, will be evaluated by Syracuse University.
The outcomes of these projects will be closely monitored to assess their effectiveness in improving health, reducing healthcare costs, and enhancing overall veteran satisfaction. With more than 1.7 million veterans across the three new pilot states, these initiatives are poised to provide critical support to those most in need.
Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation, remarked, “These pilot projects demonstrate the transformative impact of Food is Medicine programs. By addressing nutrition insecurity, we can improve veterans’ lives while also reducing healthcare costs.”
The Rockefeller Foundation’s commitment to improving the health of the nation through Food is Medicine has grown significantly since 2019, with an investment of over $100 million dedicated to tackling diet-related diseases and healthcare disparities. In January 2024, the foundation announced an $80 million investment to further expand these efforts nationwide, focusing on improving outcomes for individuals with chronic conditions and supporting U.S. farmers.
As these pilot programs unfold, they offer a model for expanding access to healthy food as a critical part of healthcare, with the potential to benefit veterans across the country and beyond.
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