(P10-09-26) How Can Food Is Medicine Support Sustainable Diets and Food Systems? Insights from U.S. Experts

Objectives: Amid rising rates of obesity and diet-related chronic diseases and worsening environmental effects from climate change in the United States (U.S.), the Food is Medicine (FIM) movement offers the potential to better connect the food and health systems to address these concurrent challenges. Plant-rich dietary patterns can improve human health and reduce the food system’s environmental impacts, yet data is lacking on their role within FIM programs. This study explored U.S. experts’ perspectives on the opportunities and challenges to incorporating plant-rich dietary patterns into FIM programs.

Methods: In 2024, we used purposive and snowball sampling to identify and conduct semi-structured interviews with national FIM experts (n=20). Interviews explored how participants define and characterize FIM and plant-rich dietary patterns, and their views on the role of plant-rich dietary patterns within different FIM programs (e.g., produce prescriptions, medically tailored groceries). Data was analyzed using thematic analysis guided by a socio-ecological model adapted for FIM programs.

Results: Experts perspectives differed on the definition and scope of FIM but largely agreed on the components of a plant-rich dietary pattern. Experts described select pilot FIM programs that have incorporated plant-rich diet principles, but human and environmental health co-benefits were not explicitly messaged. Participants shared opportunities for FIM programs to promote plant-rich dietary patterns, support local food systems, and reduce food waste. Challenges included misalignment with the political environment and policy and systems barriers that restrict enabling environments for these opportunities.

Conclusions: The FIM movement could support actions that benefit human and environmental health but overcoming political and systems challenges will require coordinated actions within and across the food and health sectors. FIM programs should identify areas of potential co-benefit and incorporate environmental considerations into program design.

Funding Sources: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Duke University