Medically Tailored Groceries Standard Supports Food is Medicine

[Viable Food News Desk]

Publisher: Food Bank News
Published: September 22, 2026
Source: Read at Food Bank News
Category: Food Access

Feeding America and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics announced a standard for medically tailored groceries used in Food is Medicine programs. The standard focuses on food requirements for patients with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension, and is rooted in Healthy Eating Research guidelines introduced in 2020. Feeding America said 36 food banks and 14 registered dietitians reviewed the standard. The organization plans to add guidance on nutrition education, implementation, and clinical care, while the Food is Medicine Coalition is developing a separate standard for release in early 2027.

Why this matters: A shared standard could give food banks and healthcare partners clearer requirements for sourcing and providing medically tailored groceries. That may help community food-access teams build these programs with fewer gaps between clinical needs and available food.

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