Food is Medicine Committee formed to improve health

In an effort to improve health and lower healthcare costs, Gov. Matt Meyer announced May 6 the establishment of the Delaware Food is Medicine Committee, bringing the power of nutrition through local food systems. 

“Delaware’s Food is Medicine Committee will connect residents with high-quality meals and produce to improve clinical care, lower healthcare costs and advance health equity,” Meyer said in a press release. “Drawing on research and examples from other states, we will scale what works and ensure positive results. Together, we’ll build a healthier, more equitable Delaware – where food is seen as both nourishment and healthcare.” 

Poor nutrition is at the core of many chronic diseases and negative health outcomes, Meyer said, and the committee will work to shift Delaware’s health system from reactive treatment to proactive prevention by making food a formal part of healthcare. 

Serving under the Delaware Council on Farm & Food Policy, officials said the committee will work to stimulate Delaware’s agricultural economy by creating new markets for local farmers and food retailers. These new markets include low-income and high-risk populations with chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

Healthcare cost savings could include lower Medicaid expenditures and a reduction in expensive hospital visits “by addressing diet-related health conditions through targeted nutrition support,” officials said.

“Every Delawarean should have the comfort of knowing they can feed their family healthy and nutritious meals,” said Lt. Gov. Kyle Evans Gay, Delaware Food is Medicine Committee chair. “As chair, I’m honored to help lead this effort promoting health equity by connecting families with the nourishment, dignity and care they deserve.”  

In addition to Evans Gay, the committee will include leaders from healthcare, agriculture, research and community organizations who will develop Delaware’s Food is Medicine framework. 

The committee will use models from Massachusetts, North Carolina and California, and research from Tufts University, Kaiser Permanente and the American Heart Association’s Health Care by Food.