FOOD IS MEDICINE

FIM is a bridge between food systems and healthcare, ensuring that good food is accessible, affordable, and nourishing for all.

HGFA is leading the movement for locally supported Food is Medicine (FIM) programs and health interventions statewide. Key efforts include providing locally sourced produce prescription boxes to low-income Medicaid recipients with the goal of scaling statewide. Through this work, we aim to improve the health of individuals and community, the well-being of our ‘āina, and the resilience of local farmers and producers.

Food is Medicine (FIM) is an approach that recognizes food as a critical component of health care. It involves integrating nutrition interventions into clinical care to improve patient health outcomes, particularly for those with diet-related conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Key FIM programs include:

  • Culturally Competent Care – Providing medical professionals and practitioners with opportunities to engage in place-based Hawaiian-focused classes, workshops and gatherings to increase skills and knowledge around food and health. 

  • Produce Prescription Programs – Health providers prescribe fresh fruits and vegetables to patients.

  • Medically Tailored Meals (MTMs) – Meals designed by dietitians to meet specific medical and nutritional needs.

  • Nutrition Education & Counseling – Teaching patients how to make informed food choices to support health.

FIM+ expands beyond clinical settings to address systems-level changes. FIM+ aligns with HGFA’s Good Food values by ensuring:

  • Culturally relevant foods are part of health interventions.

  • 'Āina Accountability, local farmers and producers are integral to improving health outcomes.

  • Sustainable food systems are supported through procurement, infrastructure, and policy.

  • Community care is holistic, integrating traditional knowledge, food sovereignty, and health equity.

1115 Medical Demonstration Waiver: Innovative QUEST Services

The 1115 Medicaid Demonstration Waiver uses federal Medicaid funds to support innovative, community-driven healthcare solutions including Food is Medicine programs.

HGFA is working with partners to integrate FIM into Hawaiʻi’s Medicaid system through medically tailored meals and prescription produce boxes that “encourage the inclusion of local growers, community gardens, and other community-based organizations to support the purchase of locally grown food and strengthen Hawaii’s intrinsic food system.” 

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF FIM IN HAWAIʻI:
ʻAIAOLA FOOD IS MEDICINE CENTER

HGFA is developing a Community Care Hub (CCH) that integrates Food is Medicine, local agriculture, indigenous knowledge, and community-led solutions to drive health equity across Hawaiʻi. The ʻAiaola Food is Medicine Center will bring together healthcare providers, community-based organizations, and food system partners to deliver holistic, person-centered care to ensure people facing food insecurity, chronic disease, or social determinants of health barriers receive food and nutrition support; health and wellness services; and social and economic resources. In addition, ʻAiaola will also advance FIM programs in Hawaiʻi by:

  • Supporting Local Farmers & Food Businesses – Strengthening the supply chain for FIM programs

  • Developing & Evaluating FIM Models – Measuring impact on health and local economies

  • Bridging Healthcare & Food Systems – Expanding Medicaid and healthcare partnerships

  • Advancing Policy & Advocacy – Supporting long-term systems change

  • Engaging & Educating Communities – Promoting nutrition, cultural foodways, and food sovereignty