2025 ARCHIVES

5th Annual

Food as Medicine

Growing and Unifying the Movement

June 4 - 5, 2025

Returning for its 5th year, The Food as Medicine Summit continues its mission of accelerating nutritious food into the hands of individuals in need to help treat and manage their health conditions. Building upon half a decade of impact, the summit will once again provide the meeting point for healthcare providers, CBOs, insurers, food companies, government, associations, and more to come together and take Food as Medicine from promise to a long-term, sustainable reality. High-quality networking is always a core pillar of The Food as Medicine Summit, and this next installment will provide new formats and opportunities for you to meet with your peers from all stakeholder groups. Defining conversations of the field happen at The Food as Medicine Summit and this is your chance to be part of them. Key themes for this year's event include expanding the reach of Food as Medicine, innovative partnership models, political impact, research updates, and much more. New experiences are also on the menu to ensure that this year's summit continues to evolve and push the envelope to provide each audience member with as many actionable takeaways as possible. This year's Food as Medicine Summit will deliver unparalleled learnings, networking opportunities, and experiences for all those in attendance. Collaboration is at the heart of the series and by unifying around our shared goals, we will ensure that the rising tide lifts all ships in The Food as Medicine movement.

Day 1
Day 2

Wednesday, June 4

7:00 am

Registration Open

7:30 am

Networking Breakfast

8:30 am

Organizer's Welcome Remarks

Jason Green, Senior Conference Producer, Cambridge Healthtech Institute

8:35 am

Chairperson’s Remarks

Martin Tull, Chief Impact Officer, American College of Lifestyle Medicine

8:40 am

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION:

Food as Medicine in Michigan: A Holistic Approach to Improving Health Outcomes and Food Security

Elizabeth Hertel, Director, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services

This presentation will highlight Michigan's innovative approach to integrating a Food as Medicine approach into health and human service-related systems, including:

How the use of Medicaid policy levers, such as In Lieu of Services and community reinvestment requirements, can provide food and nutrition-focused interventions
How collaborating with community-based organizations can build capacity within existing food and nutrition systems and maximize impacts
How aligning with broader social determinants of health strategy and initiatives can improve access and health outcomes.

9:00 am

KEYNOTE PANEL DISCUSSION:

The Current and Future Landscape of Food as Medicine

PANEL MODERATOR:

Maycie Elchoufi, Obesity & Lifestyle Medicine Physician, Culinary Coach, Healthcare Industry Advisor

The food as medicine landscape is constantly shifting. In this ever-changing field, it is essential that we remain true to the promises of Food as Medicine and continue working to make the impact of our work even more of a reality. Hear from leaders from across the field as we kick-off the Food as Medicine Summit 2025 by unpacking:

How has our work on Food as Medicine changed over the past six months since the new administration began?
Do we need to change how we frame the demonstration of the value of Food as Medicine?
How do we ensure that Food as Medicine approaches have the best chances of success?
How do we need to work together as a field to further implement Food as Medicine?
How do we see the next four years of this administration playing out as it relates to health, food, and nutrition?
What are the take-home learnings for the audience?

PANELISTS:

Steve Brazeel, Founder & CEO, SunTerra Produce

Zachary Clark, Global General Manager, Uber Health

Melanie Fernando, Chief Operating Officer, Aetna Better Health of Illinois

Holly Freishtat, Senior Director, Feeding Change, Milken Institute

Marianne O'Shea, Vice President, Global Nutrition Science, PepsiCo

Pam Schwartz, Executive Director, Community Health Programs & Charitable Contributions, Kaiser Permanente

10:00 am

Coffee Break with Exhibit Viewing

10:45 am

CASE STUDY:

Food as Medicine in Action in Indiana

Naima Gardner, Director, Division of Nutrition & Physical Activity, Indiana Department of Health

Michelle Shippy, MS, RDN, Food is Medicine Director, Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity (DNPA), Indiana Department of Health (IDOH)

How is Food as Medicine being viewed in Indiana?
How has Food as Medicine been integrated as a core strategy within the department of Nutrition and Physical Activity?
Which lessons have been learned working with clinical partners on this work?
A look at results from recently finished case studies
How do we bring together different funding streams to execute this work?

11:15 am

PANEL DISCUSSION:

States in Focus—How and Where is Progress Being Made across The U.S.?

PANEL MODERATOR:

Katie Garfield, Director, Whole Person Care, Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation, Harvard Law School

Different states are at different points in their journey with Food as Medicine. While no two states are the same, lessons are being learned and insights are being shared between states to help advance Food as Medicine programs. This panel will showcase individual states while diving into the following:

How is Food as Medicine currently being viewed in your state?
What impact has the new administration already had and set to have moving forward?
What lessons have we learned from working with local partners?
What have been the major roadblocks to progress so far and how are we overcoming them?
How can we share ideas and communicate better between states?
What are the take-home learnings for the audience?

PANELISTS:

Stephanie Buckler, Deputy Director of Social Services Integration, Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services

Rebecca Gillmore, Manager, Managed Care Logistical Support, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

Thea Kachoris-Flores, Special Assistant for Health Related Social Needs, Illinois Healthcare and Family Services

Dana Thomas, Managing Director, Food is Medicine, Rockefeller Foundation

10:45 am

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION:

Collaborating across Food as Medicine

Julia Koprak, Director, Incentives, Healthcare & Policy, The Food Trust

Dan Ripma, Vice President, Food & Agriculture, S2G Investments

Ipyana Spencer, Chief Health Officer, Meals on Wheels America

10:45 AM Introduction & Discussion Kickstarter

Expert moderators will introduce the session and set the scene to ensure you get the most out of your group discussions.

11:00 AM ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: Collaborating across Food as Medicine

What are the most promising collaboration opportunities that we are currently thinking about?
How will these opportunities help us get Food as Medicine into the hands of more people?
What lessons have we learned from the partnerships we currently have in place?
Generally speaking, how can the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors work better together?
Additional considerations on collaboration?

11:50 AM Group Feedback & Takeaways

A representative from each group will give feedback to the wider audience on their table’s discussion points. Moderators and onsite team members will help link the conversations together into more tangible takeaways for everyone.

12:15 pm

Networking Luncheon

1:45 pm

CASE STUDY:

Community Health Coalition of Greater Detroit: Building a Healthier Future for All Wayne County

Tracey King, REACH Project Manager, Corewell Health

Chika Obianwu, Director, Community Health, Corewell Health

Corewell Health received a CDC Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grant in 2024. REACH is a CDC-funded program to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities in chronic diseases. With this funding, Corewell Health developed a community coalition to partner with several organizations across multiple sectors to address chronic disease health disparities that impact underserved and disinvested communities in Wayne County.

2:15 pm

PANEL DISCUSSION:

Physician Deep Dive—Food as Medicine from First Consultation to Long-Term Results

PANEL MODERATOR:

Sunny Sharma, MD, FACP, DipACLM, CMD, RMO, Internal Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine Physician, MDVIP Physician, Regional Medical Officer for Ascension Medical Group of Illinois

Traditional healthcare systems remain the norm for the majority of the population. Physicians have a crucial role in the initial adoption and long-term results for Food as Medicine programs. Take this unique opportunity to hear the thoughts of leading physicians on:

What’s working and not working when we engage with patients on Food as Medicine?
What do we need to do as a field to ensure long-term adherence with Food as Medicine programs?
What’s needed for Food as Medicine programs to become a core pillar of healthcare?
How are we scaling our Food as Medicine programs?
Advice for the field on how best to engage and work with physicians in Food as Medicine?
What are the take-home learnings for the audience?

PANELISTS:

David Dungan, MD, FACP, FAAP, CCMS, Director / Champion, Duly Culinary Medicine / Duly Wellness

Eugenia McPeek Hinz, Associate Chief Medical Information Officer, Health Informatics, Duke University Medical Center

Jennifer Pope, Director, Supportive Medicine, Atrium Health

1:45 pm

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION:

Demonstrating Value & Return on Investment of Food as Medicine

Matthew Gulbransen, Founding Partner & General Partner, Three Bridges Private Capital

Masashi Kiyomine, Founder & Managing Partner, Kicker Ventures

Martin Tull, Chief Impact Officer, American College of Lifestyle Medicine

1:45 PM Introduction & Discussion Kickstarters
Expert moderators will introduce the session and set the scene to ensure you get the most out of your group discussions.

2:00 PM ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: Demonstrating Value & Return on Investment of Food as Medicine

What are the core principles of Food as Medicine that new entrants need to be aware of?
How do we need to evolve our conversations when demonstrating value and ROI?
How do we demonstrate these core values in the healthcare ecosystem?
Value-based care – How do we demonstrate ROI with Food as Medicine?
Additional considerations on demonstrating value and ROI?

2:50 PM Group Feedback & Takeaways

3:15 pm

Refreshment Break with Exhibit Viewing

3:55 pm

PRESENTATION:

Scaling Food as Medicine: Leveraging Technology and Local Grocery

Dwight Schultheis, Instacart Health

This presentation will highlight Instacart Health’s approach to scaling Food as Medicine program including how:

Medicaid MCOs are leveraging Instacart’s technology platform to drive engagement and improve health outcomes
Instacart’s Fresh Funds grocery vouchers can support Medicaid Section 1115 waivers and In Lieu of Services (ILOS) provisions
Technology can increase engagement and help drive adoption of new eating habits
Wellness West partnered with Instacart and over 100 CBO’s to implement a Food as Medicine Program that supports 1,000 families in Chicago’s west side.

4:25 pm

PANEL DISCUSSION:

How Do We Overcome the Barriers to Implementation?

PANEL MODERATOR:

Martin Tull, Chief Impact Officer, American College of Lifestyle Medicine

While not a new concept, Food as Medicine has experienced a significant increase in interest and output over the past five-plus years. The promise of Food as Medicine continues to grow but it is essential that implementation catches up for our work to deliver on its potential. Tap into the minds of leading stakeholders as we dive into:

What lessons have been learned from the approaches we have implemented so far?
How is the new administration set to impact our work with Food as Medicine?
How can technology help us better implement Food as Medicine?
How do we better demonstrate value and return on investment?
What collaboration opportunities are the most essential to implement Food as Medicine?
What other challenges are set to define Food as Medicine moving forward?
What are the take-home learnings for the audience?

PANELISTS:

Margaret Apura, Director, Nutrition, Amwell

Stephanie Kubow, Assistant Vice President, Community & Population Health, Northwell Health

Suzanne Shea, Vice President, System Pharmacy & Clinical Nutrition, Sharp Healthcare

Sarah Stern, Director Community Involvement, Maple Leaf Foods & Executive Director, Maple Leaf Centre for Food Security

Jon Van Der Veer, Founder & CEO, Hy-Vee Health Exemplar Care

5:25 pm

Networking Reception

6:25 pm

Close of Day

Day 1
Day 2

Thursday, June 5

7:30 am

Registration Open

8:00 am

Networking Breakfast

9:00 am

Chair's Welcome Remarks

Scott Bowman, Co-Founder, The NOURISH Movement; Board Member, Clareo

9:10 am

FIRESIDE CHAT:

The Voice of the Patient in Food as Medicine

PANEL MODERATOR:

Naomi Parrella, Chief, Lifestyle Medicine, Rush University System for Health

How is Food as Medicine impacting the lives of patients?
What lessons have been learned so far working directly with patients?
How do we better incorporate the voice of patients into our work?

PANELISTS:

Willie Cobb, Food as Medicine Patient

Eve Gushes, Food as Medicine Patient

Steve Wolfgang, Food as Medicine Patient

9:50 am

PANEL DISCUSSION:

Overcoming Access Hurdles to Food as Medicine

PANEL MODERATOR:

Maggie Biscarr, Co-Founder, The NOURISH Movement

Access to Food as Medicine remains a crucial challenge that needs to be continuously at the front of our minds. Progress is being made across the board but unless we fix the access issues that we are currently facing, the impact of our work will be significantly limited. Hear from experts as they share their thoughts on:

What is working and what isn’t working for increasing access to Food as Medicine and why?
How can Community-based Organizations and industry partners work more closely together to improve access?
How is the new administration set to affect people’s access to Food as Medicine?
What policy opportunities are there for us to explore here?
How can technology help us increase access to Food as Medicine?
What are the take-home learnings for the audience?

PANELISTS:

Keri Edwards, President, SmartChoice Food Pantry Software

Melanie Hall, Chief Research & Innovation Officer, Feeding America

Nicole Harris-Hollingsworth, Vice President, Social Determinants of Health, Hackensack Meridian Health

Emily Hoffman, Registered Dietitian, Intermountain Health

Daniel Riff, Head of Government & Nonprofit Operations, DoorDash

10:50 am

Coffee Break with Exhibit Viewing

11:20 am

CASE STUDY:

Virtual Foodcare’s Pivotal Moment: Policy, Access, and the Path Forward

Jason Langheier, Chief Scientific Officer, Board Director & Founder, Foodsmart

Michael Pappas, Partner, Nixon Law Group

Samuel Pinson, Counsel, Legal, Nixon Law Group

Hunter Young, Senior Policy Associate, State Affairs, American Telemedicine Association

Kyle Zebley, Senior Vice President, Public Policy, American Telemedicine Association

Food as Medicine Meets the Digital Front Door: Virtual nutrition delivery is no longer a future concept—it is a current necessity for prevention, chronic disease management, and broadening access to care.A Window of Policy Opportunity: With new federal leadership, the Make America Health Again movement, and evolving reimbursement trends, this is a critical moment to secure durable, scalable policy for virtual foodcare.The ATA Action Virtual Foodcare Coalition’s Federal and State Agenda: The coalition is driving forward reforms to designate nutrition therapy as a preventive service, expand reimbursement across public and commercial payers, eliminate cross-state licensure barriers, and modernize SNAP, WIC, and other access programs.

11:50 am

Food as Medicine and Youth Health

Jillian Griffith, Senior Health Partnerships Manager, Amazon Access, Amazon

Suraj K., Member, National Youth Council, GENYOUth

Ann Marie Krautheim, MA, RD, LD, Chief Executive Officer, GENYOUth

Food insecurity and unhealthy diets among youth are linked to chronic diseases, yet this connection is often overlooked. School meals, serving 30 million children nationwide, exemplify one of the most effective Food as Medicine interventions. Recent GENYOUth research among youth reveals the challenges they face in accessing nutritious food and opportunities to improve the school meal experience. This research amplifies youth voices, emphasizing their role in shaping innovative solutions. This session underscores school meals as a cornerstone of Food as Medicine interventions and calls for collective action to ensure equitable access to prevent disease and sustain health.

12:20 pm

PANEL DISCUSSION:

Amplifying Impact through Public-Private Partnering

PANEL MODERATOR:

Scott Bowman, Co-Founder, The NOURISH Movement; Board Member, Clareo

How to best engage with federal and state partners moving forward?
How do we need to demonstration of the value of Food as Medicine?
How can the field best work together to give Food as Medicine approaches the maximum chance of success?
How do we ensure that Food as Medicine approaches have the best chances of success?
What are the take-home learnings for the audience?

PANELISTS:

Katherine Commey, State Administrative Manager, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services

Ed Gaskin, Executive Director, Greater Grove Hall Main Streets

Cate Hensley, Manager, Policy & Projects, Food is Medicine Coalition

Alan Shannon, Former Public Affairs Director, USDA, Food & Nutrition Service, Midwest Region

1:00 pm

FIRESIDE CHAT:

The Future of Food as Medicine

Scott Bowman, Co-Founder, The NOURISH Movement; Board Member, Clareo

Martin Tull, Chief Impact Officer, American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Summary of key takeaways from the 5th Annual Food as Medicine Summit
Tangible next steps for the industry off the back of the event
Where do we want to be by the 2nd Annual Food as Medicine Policy & Research Summit in D.C. in October?

1:15 pm

Close of Conference