It’s Not Just Food—It’s the Right Food

Building on what we know—and aligning with what research shows—to better support the health of the communities we serve

As the field of Food as Medicine continues to evolve and grow, we’re paying close attention to how emerging research can strengthen the way we serve our communities.

Recently, new guidance from Tufts University’s Food is Medicine Institute has been released on Medically Tailored Grocery (MTG) programs. This guidance reinforces a clearer, evidence-based framework for how food can be used to support individuals living with diet-related conditions. These recommendations emphasize what we’ve long believed at Hungry Harvest: that access to nutritious food is essential, and that it’s not just about providing food, but about providing the right food, in the right way, to support health.

This means prioritizing foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and plant-based proteins, while limiting added sugars, excess sodium, and highly processed items. These are foods that not only support better health outcomes, but are also often underconsumed in many of the communities we work alongside.
For us, this moment represents an exciting opportunity to deepen our impact.

Through our programs, Hungry Harvest has continuously focused on increasing access to fresh produce and staple ingredients. But as the field evolves, we’re continuing to ask:

How can we be even more intentional? How can we better align our offerings with what research tells us will truly make a difference in people’s health?

We’re also thinking about this in the context of partnerships. MTG programs are most effective when they are connected to healthcare and community-based support systems. As we continue working alongside partners, including local health departments and care providers, we see an opportunity to more deeply integrate food into broader care strategies.

We hope that you’ll join us in our mission to prevent food waste and expand access to healthy food. Learn more about Hungry Harvest and how you can work alongside us at www.hungryharvest.net, or contact us at socialimpact@hungryharvest.net.