Heinrich Leads Bicameral Legislation to Help Working Families Access Healthy Meals While Supporting Local Producers

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced the Fueling Optimal Outcomes through Diet (FOOD) for Health Act, legislation to establish and administer grant funding for Food is Medicine pilot programs nationwide. In the House, the legislation is led by U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-Ill.).

FOOD for Health aims to reduce nutrition-related chronic diseases and address food insecurity by supporting the production of nutritious food.

“We should be making it easier for working families across New Mexico to put healthy food on the table,” said Heinrich, Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees funding for SNAP, WIC, and other federal nutrition programs. “My Food for Health Act does exactly that by funding programs that connect rural communities to fresh produce and nutritious foods, supporting New Mexicans' health and our local producers at the same time." 

“Everyone, no matter where they live, deserves access to healthy foods that fuel their bodies and minds. But like the 40 million Americans who live in food deserts, many of my constituents in urban, suburban, and rural areas live closer to a fast-food restaurant than a grocery store,” said Kelly. “My bill would address these challenges by supporting Food is Medicine programs to help prevent, manage, and treat diet-related diseases. The best medicine is preventative medicine – and that includes food.”

Specifically, the FOOD for Health Act directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, to establish a pilot program that provides grants to Food is Medicine programs around the country while prioritizing local foods and regional diversity. Eligible activities would include providing medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, on-site emergency food assistance, and individual or group-based culinary education. 

Participants in Food is Medicine programs would be those who struggle with diet-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, obesity, HIV/AIDS, malnutrition, and other diseases as determined appropriate by the USDA Secretary.

The FOOD For Health Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).

The legislation is endorsed by Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico, Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico, Agri-Cultura Cooperative Network, Three Sisters Kitchen, New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Feeding America, Foodsmart, Good Food is Good Medicine, and Wound Pros.

“Roadrunner is proud to support the Fueling Optimal Outcomes through Diet (FOOD) for Health Act,” said Katy Anderson, Vice President, Strategy, Partnerships and Advocacy at Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico. “Roadrunner has long recognized that many of our communities across the state, rural and metro, lack proper access to fresh produce and healthy calories.  These food inequities have a dire impact on the health and wellbeing of too many New Mexicans including children, expecting mothers, and people over fifty.  This bill would support our ongoing efforts to provide nutritious meals, expand collaborations with medical providers, and ensure that more people suffering from chronic disease have the foods they need to ensure better health outcomes.  We thank Senator Martin Heinrich for bringing forth this legislation and continuing to support the work of New Mexico’s food bank network.”

“The New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association endorses the ‘Fueling Optimal Out-comes through Diet for Health Act of 2024.’ We stand behind your [Heinrich’s] efforts to expand access to produce prescriptions for all New Mexicans and for patients across the country. We know that, together, we can improve health outcomes for patients while supporting local producers and the local food system. Thank you for championing this innovative and important policy. Please continue to push for its passage,” said Denise Miller, Executive Director of the New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association.

"Agri-Cultura Cooperative Network, a sustainable & regenerative farming organization, and La Cosecha, our equitable food access and nutrition education partner, is in full support of the FOOD for Health Act,” said Helga Garcia Garza, Executive Director, Agri-Cultura Cooperative Network / La Cosecha CSA. “As urban, rural & tribal farming communities in New Mexico, we are committed to providing the healthiest food production possible, grown with climate-smart organic methods and distributed through our food hub maintaining the highest level of food safety standards and certification. Our local production of New Mexico grown fruits & vegetables are distributed at their highest level of nutritional value. Highlighting the mindset of Food is Medicine and providing nutrition related assistance that is evidence and value based in support of healthy environment, food production, and nutrition."

In a statement issued by the Board of Three Sisters Kitchen, members stated, "At Three Sisters Kitchen, we love helping people feel more connected to where their food comes from, as they take control of their nutritional health and build confidence cooking & eating locally grown food. We also understand the importance of increasing access to healthy food and nutrition and cooking education as key contributors to healthy eating behaviors. The FOOD for Health Act will ensure that our communities have access to good food and cooking education opportunities that lead to healthy lives and celebrate food traditions and the bounty of our local food systems. "

“The Wound Pros applauds and supports the introduction of the FOOD for Health Act,” said Dr. Bill Releford, CEO of The Wound Pros and owner of Bloom Ranch of Acton. “We have witnessed first-hand how essential a healthy diet and access to nutritious food are for a patient’s overall health and well-being. Effective treatment goes beyond medical intervention and must encompass holistic lifestyle changes. Unfortunately, many patients still lack access to or cannot afford healthy food options. We look forward to working with congressional champions to advance the FOOD for Health Act to ensure that more individuals have the opportunity to benefit from nutritious, local food as part of their care.” 

“With every year that passes, hundreds of billions in healthcare costs and countless avoidable deaths result from chronic conditions related to poor nutrition,” said Dr. Jason Langheier, CEO and co-founder of Foodsmart. “The connection between a proper diet and vastly improved health outcomes is indisputable based on the scientific evidence, and everyone in America should have access to a primary care dietitian who is empowered to tailor a personalized ‘foodcare’ strategy on behalf of their patients. Congresswoman Kelly's FOOD for Health Act is a key step towards helping seniors with any disease to receive the ‘foodcare’ they need, ensuring that key agencies gather the data that they need to make these interventions available more broadly.”

A bill summary is here.

The text of the bill is here. 

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