About the Briefing

This briefing, which was held virtually on June 29, 2023, presented exciting new findings from the forthcoming Tufts University True Cost of Food: Food is Medicine case study report, which suggests that food is medicine interventions such as medically tailored meals and produce prescriptions would both improve health and be highly cost-effective by analyzing the true cost of food is medicine nationally, including in Medicare and Medicaid. Panelists also discussed how access to nutritious foods and food is medicine programs can benefit human health, health equity, the economy, military readiness, and more. The briefing's panel included experts who spoke from perspectives of researcher, clinician, program participant, military leader, and public health and industry professional to discuss benefits of food is medicine initiatives and offer recommendations for advancing such efforts.

Panelists

• Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DrPH, Distinguished Professor and Jean Mayer Professor of Nutrition, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University (Moderator)
• Kofi D. Essel, MD, MPH, FAAP, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Director, GW Culinary Medicine Program, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Donna Lawson, MDiv, MA, Educator, Minister, Food is Medicine Program Participant
• Sarah Mastrorocco, MBA, Vice President and General Manager, Instacart Health
• Rear Admiral (Ret.) Fernandez “Frank” Ponds, U.S. Navy, Nutrition and National Security Speakers Bureau Member, Mission: Readiness