Bipartisan Members of Congress Launch Food is Medicine Working Group to Highlight Impacts of Hunger on Health

Washington, January 17, 2018
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), a senior House Democrat and leading voice on agriculture and hunger policy, joined Republicans and Democrats to launch the new bipartisan Food is Medicine Working Group, within the House Hunger Caucus. The new group will highlight the costs related to hunger and the importance of keeping U.S. agricultural and nutrition policy rooted in health-focused research that shows families and communities are healthier when they have access to nutritious food like fresh fruits and vegetables.

“When families don’t have access to nutritious food, their health suffers. Too many families struggle to put food on the table. It is imperative that Congress and other policymakers understand that food is medicine. “We simply cannot address hunger and health as two separate issues. They’re two sides of the same coin. Community organizations are already doing incredible work across the country to connect chronically-ill patients with the food they need,” Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA) said. “With today’s launch of our new bipartisan Food is Medicine working group, we will work to elevate this issue and advance policy solutions that will help to ensure more chronically-ill people have access to medically tailored meals. Together, we can ensure food is seen as medicine and make real progress to end hunger across the country.”

In addition to McGovern, the new group will be led by Representatives Lynn Jenkins (R-KS), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), and Roger Marshall (R-KS). Joining the lawmakers at today’s launch were leaders from Tufts University, the George Washington University Food Institute, Harvard Law School, and Feeding America.

VIDEO: Click here to view video of today’s event.

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