Because both healthcare and food systems contribute to climate change, the Food Is Medicine movement (FIM) presents an opportunity to build a transdisciplinary, system-spanning model focused on improving both human and planetary health. While scholars are examining the potential environmental implications of the FIM movement, little has been published about the environmental sustainability practices of existing FIM programs.
In this study, 30 organizations providing FIM interventions in the United States were surveyed regarding how environmental sustainability considerations influence their program design and operations. Overall, these FIM practitioners display a keen awareness of the importance of environmental sustainability and the potential for FIM to support the health of people, agricultural producers, communities, and the environment. However, FIM programs face significant barriers to implementing environmentally sustainable practices and in communicating the impact of these practices.
These findings suggest that the next phase of the FIM movement may depend on strengthening existing programs through practical guidance, collaborative learning, stronger partnerships, and shared outcome measures that capture both health and environmental benefits.
Details
- Miller, Lani (Author)
- Merrigan, Kathleen (Kathleen Ann), 1959- (Contributor)
- Nelson, Melissa K (Contributor)
- Arizona State University (Degree granting institution)
- eng
- Cohort year 2026
- At foot of title of capstone: "A Capstone Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science"
- At foot of title of report: "Insights from a national survey of Food is Medicine programs and practitioners."
- date"August 2026"
- bibliographyIncludes bibliographical references.