About the Event

Tufts University is making a significant new investment to launch this first-of-its-kind Institute, which will bring together research, training, patient services, policy development, and community engagement around Food is Medicine (FIM). Tufts is already the nation’s academic leader in FIM research, translation, and partnerships, with more than a dozen active projects and over $20 million in grant funding secured in the past 2 years. The Food is Medicine Institute at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University will build upon and advance this leadership with additional university and external investments.

Led by its inaugural Director Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, the Institute will serve as a catalyst to drive change, improve health, reduce health disparities, and create a more equitable and resilient healthcare system that recognizes the power of nourishing food. Its efforts will be centered in health equity to work collaboratively with and improve the lives of traditionally marginalized, vulnerable populations. The Institute will also host and build a national network of partnerships with diverse stakeholders within and outside healthcare to ensure that efforts advance well-being and policy broadly and reach the people who need them most.

This launch event brought together leaders in science, healthcare, food, policy, community engagement, and equity to discuss the exciting trends, opportunities, and future directions in the field.

Watch: Food is Medicine Institute Launch Livestream Recording

27:16 – Keynote 1: “Mission of Food and Nutritional Security,”  Secretary Tom Vilsack, U.S. Department of Agriculture

32:30 – Remarks 1: “Disciplined Focus on Improving Nutrition Research,”  Senator Bill Frist, U.S. Senate

37:20 – Panel 1: “Food is Medicine’s Impact on the Community,”  Ruth Comer, NutriCare participant; Brent Ling, Wholesome Wave; Alice Mejia, Produce Rx participant; Julian Miller, Delta GREENS; Dariush Mozaffarian, Moderator, Food is Medicine Institute

1:13:25 – Remarks 2: “Groundbreaking Transformation to Our Food and Healthcare Systems,”  Congressman Jim McGovern, U.S. House of Representatives

1:15:44 – Remarks 3: “Power of Food to Improve Health Outcomes and Quality of Life,”  Senator Ed Markey, U.S. Senate

1:19:30 – Panel 2: “Cross-Sector Initiatives for Advancing Food is Medicine,”  Michael Dandorph, Tufts Medicine; Nira Goren, Google Health; Pam Schwartz, Kaiser Permanente; Brooks Tingle, John Hancock; Secretary Dan Glickman, Moderator, Bipartisan Policy Center

1:59:31 – Remarks 4: “Food and Health to Work Hand in Hand,”  Chef Jose Andres, World Central Kitchen

2:01:57 – Remarks 5: “Effective Food is Medicine Interventions,”  Senator Cory Booker, U.S. Senate

2:07:11 – Closing Remarks: Dariush Mozaffarian, Food is Medicine Institute