On January 12, over 50 farmers, ranchers, health officials, and community leaders gathered at Rio Grande Hospital in Del Norte, Colorado. Their goal? To explore how “Food is Medicine” initiatives could support local agriculture and tackle chronic diseases affecting rural communities.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the U.S. spends a staggering $4.9 trillion on health care annually, with nearly 90% of that going towards chronic diseases. Despite such high spending, the U.S. ranks 49th in life expectancy among 227 countries, according to 2024 data.
Recently, there’s been a growing interest in “Food is Medicine,” which focuses on the nutritional roots of chronic illnesses and emphasizes the importance of local food and environmental health.
Patrick O’Neill, an agronomist from Alamosa, Colorado, organized this meeting. He sees a strong connection between healthy soil and healthy food, much like the link between nutritious meals and overall health.
During the gathering, clinical gerontologist Erin Martin discussed her impactful work in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She worked with elderly patients who were struggling on multiple medications but still experiencing severe health issues. Partnering with family physician Dr. Kent Farish, they discovered that food quality was a crucial factor.
Dr. Farish expressed his frustration: “My patients are compliant, yet they are getting worse—and it’s the food.”
This led Martin to create the FreshRx program, a year-long initiative offering fresh, locally grown produce along with nutrition education to those with chronic conditions like obesity and diabetes. Regenerative farming practices—steeped in traditional methods—ensure healthy soil, which translates to more nutrient-rich produce. Local sourcing also strengthens the community economy.
Within the first three years, FreshRx enrolled 311 participants, sourcing from 27 local farmers. Results were promising: participants showed an average reduction of 2.2 in hemoglobin A1C levels—their blood sugar averages improved—and the program estimated around $3.9 million in healthcare savings and a $1.5 million local economic boost. Funding comes through a mix of federal grants and private donations, but Martin aims to establish sustainable funding models with local health providers and insurers.
Martin’s approach is echoed by others in the field. At the 2025 Think Regeneration Advancing Food is Medicine conference, Dr. Jaclyn Albin shared her journey from feeling burnt out in traditional medicine to founding a culinary medicine program. Frustrated with the limited guidance her patients received on managing their diets, she began combining culinary skills with medical advice, focusing on creating engaging community experiences around food.
Meanwhile, Dr. Steven Chen, chief medical officer for the Recipe4Health program in California, highlighted the importance of understanding the origins of food. As a second-generation Taiwanese American, his experience has shaped his communal approach to medicine. Recipe4Health serves a diverse population with access to local farms, behavioral health support, and a food “Farmacy.”
Programs like these emphasize the importance of community collaboration to combat lifestyle-related diseases. They promote not just health, but also economic and ecological well-being.
The takeaway? By valuing local farmers and ranchers who contribute to health and nutrition, we can foster healthier communities. O’Neill summed it up: “If we can give value to those promoting life and health, we can make significant strides in improving access to nourishing food for everyone.”
For more insights on the intersection of food and health, check out resources from the CDC and similar organizations.
