HR7906-119

What This Bill Does

The FOOD for Health Act directs the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to establish a competitive Food is Medicine pilot grant program within two years. Eligible entities must apply to the Secretary, and grants may support Food is Medicine programs operated by community-based organizations in partnership with health care providers.

Grant funds may be used for on-site emergency feeding, medically tailored grocery packaging or delivery, medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, evidence-based cooking skills including digital instruction, dietary intervention strategies, health-related strategies, and participant transportation. The Secretary must prioritize applicants that use local and regional foods or registered dietitians and nutrition professionals. Awards must also consider geographic diversity, equitable treatment of urban, rural, Tribal, and territorial communities, and health outcomes.

The Secretary must report to Congress two years after the pilot starts and again after six years on program efficiency, patient outcomes, system costs, participant selection, diseases addressed, food strategies, medical nutrition therapy, and behavioral-health impacts. The bill authorizes $20 million for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 and defines diet-related disease, Food is Medicine program, and Secretary.

Who Benefits and How

Community-based food organizations and health care providers benefit from competitive grants to deliver medically tailored food and nutrition services. Patients experiencing, at risk of, or recovering from diabetes, renal disease, obesity, hypertension, malnutrition, eating disorders, cancer, gastrointestinal disease, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, mental illness, and other diet-related diseases benefit from food, nutrition therapy, cooking support, and transportation. Local and regional food producers benefit when grantees receive priority for incorporating local and regional foods.

Who Bears the Burden and How

USDA, in coordination with HHS, must design the pilot, run competitions, review applications, apply geographic and equity priorities, and report to Congress. Eligible entities must document applications, participant selection, diseases addressed, strategies, and outcomes. Federal nutrition and health appropriations bear the $20 million authorization for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

Key Provisions

• Requires a competitive Food is Medicine pilot grant program within two years.
• Allows grants for emergency feeding, medically tailored groceries and meals, produce prescriptions, cooking skills, dietary interventions, health strategies, and transportation.
• Prioritizes projects using local or regional foods and registered dietitians or nutrition professionals.
• Requires geographic diversity and equitable treatment of urban, rural, Tribal, and territorial communities.
• Requires reports after two and six years on efficiency, patient outcomes, system costs, and implementation details.
• Defines diet-related disease broadly, including diabetes, renal disease, obesity, hypertension, malnutrition, eating disorders, cancer, gastrointestinal disease, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, and mental illness.
• Authorizes $20 million for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.