Delaware launches ‘Food is Medicine’ initiative to tackle chronic disease through nutrition

In a major move to improve public health and reduce healthcare spending, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer announced Tuesday the creation of the Delaware Food is Medicine Committee, a new statewide initiative that aims to integrate nutrition into the healthcare system.

The committee, which will operate under the Delaware Council on Farm & Food Policy, is designed to promote health equity, lower healthcare costs, and support local agriculture.

It will focus on using nutritious food as a tool to prevent and manage chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

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“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. “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.”

Lieutenant Governor Kyle Evans Gay will chair the committee, leading a coalition of experts from healthcare, farming, research, and community organizations.

The group will create Delaware’s first statewide “Food is Medicine” framework, drawing inspiration from successful models in states like Massachusetts and North Carolina, as well as research from institutions such as Tufts University and Kaiser Permanente.

The initiative will prioritize three key areas:

1. Health Equity: Expanding access to nutrition-based interventions for low-income and high-risk communities.
2. Healthcare Cost Reduction: Lowering Medicaid and hospital expenses by addressing diet-related conditions.
3. Economic Development:** Supporting local farmers and food retailers by creating demand for fresh, local produce.

“Every Delawarean should have the comfort of knowing they can feed their family healthy and nutritious meals,” Evans Gay said. “The Delaware Food is Medicine Committee is focused on providing that comfort, helping to define our state’s goals, strengthen programs, and secure funding that will put nutrition at the forefront of healthcare and achieve real results.”