How the Food is Medicine Movement is Reigniting the Conversation About Diet and Health
America has a diet-related health problem. Today, 50% of Americans have diabetes or are prediabetic, and 75% have a chronic diet-related condition. These diet-related diseases also put financial strain on the country. The government spends $1.1 trillion on healthcare, with 85% of that spending going toward chronic diet-related diseases.
The 2022 White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health brought national attention to Food is Medicine as part of a larger call to action to end hunger and reduce prevalent diet-related diseases. The goal is to reaffirm the connection between diet and health while providing resources that help give people access to healthy food. Food is Medicine interventions include medically tailored meals, medically tailored groceries, produce prescriptions, and nutrition incentives.
Some Food is Medicine initiatives can use funds from Medicaid, helping connect healthcare resources with access to nutritious food. It is estimated that if every eligible American received medically tailored diets, $24 billion could be saved. Through these efforts, Food is Medicine has the potential to address both a healthcare and financial crisis.
Where Does DNO Fit In With This Program?
DNO already has the infrastructure and experience to help make Food is Medicine programs scalable. The company works within the industry in a multitude of ways, including fresh-cut processing and sourcing produce through a network of local growers. With a 900-mile distribution radius, DNO reaches a wide variety of community members and organizations, including schools.
We believe that fresh produce and educating children are central to this solution because investing in the health of children creates a positive impact on adult diet-related diseases. That is why DNO supports nutrition-focused programs, like the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, that provide access to fresh produce and educate future generations about nutrition. Our program Snack Time Explorers has led to an increase in kids being willing and excited to try new fruits and vegetables to 50%.
“The three goals of Food is Medicine are to increase life spans, save taxpayer dollars, and create a healthier America,” says Alex DiNovo, President of DNO Produce. Through partnerships with existing Food is Medicine programs, DNO has provided medically tailored produce boxes designed to support specific health needs. These have included a diabetes-focused box featuring broccoli, green peppers, squash, apples, cabbage, and pears, as well as a heart-health box with carrots, grape tomatoes, apples, avocados, and oranges. As we continue to grow in this space, DNO aims to expand partnerships with hospitals, healthcare organizations, and community programs by supplying fresh produce and supporting medically tailored grocery initiatives that make nutritious foods more accessible. We’re excited about the opportunity to be part of this movement and to see the impact it can make.
To learn more about the produce industry’s role in creating healthier communities, read Alex DiNovo’s article, “Access Is Not Enough: The Produce Industry’s Role in Turning Produce Access into Lasting Behavior Change,” where he explores why making fresh produce available is only the first step toward building lifelong healthy habits.