On November 13, 2025, Food & Society at the Aspen Institute hosted, Food is Medicine: Funding and Reimbursement Strategies at the MGH Revere Teaching Kitchen. In partnership with the Ardmore Institute of Health, the event convened physicians, CBO leaders, funders, and food system partners for a full day of focused discussion on how to strengthen and sustain Food is Medicine funding. The sessions covered federal levers, state level funding models, and the growing mix of public and private resources that can support this work. Participants shared examples of current opportunities, from Medicaid 1115 waivers to state agriculture and public health funding, while CBOs spoke candidly about the operational realities of navigating shifting eligibility rules and blending diverse revenue streams.
The conversations held in session, moderated by extraordinary leaders, and at dinner tables made clear that Food is Medicine is no longer a collection of pilots. Food is Medicine is a cross-sector strategy that strengthens health, reduces costs, supports local agriculture, and builds community resilience. As public, private, and philanthropic leaders increasingly pull in the same direction, the path ahead is clear: with coordinated investment and continued partnership, states can turn Food is Medicine from a promising idea into a durable and scalable pillar of population health and economic stability.