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Developing a Community-Driven, Locally Sourced Medically Tailored Meal Model: A Pilot Linking Healthcare, Farmers,
Julie Brown1, Ashton Potter2, Leandra Forman3
1Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA.
Nutrients
|February 27, 2026
Summary
Food is Medicine programs can improve health by providing medically tailored meals (MTMs) sourced from local farms. This study showed MTMs reduced systolic blood pressure and supported local agriculture.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Food is Medicine (FIM) programs integrate nutrition into healthcare but face challenges in community capacity and local food system integration.
- A program was developed to build community capacity for a locally sourced, medically tailored meal (MTM) model.
- This model aimed to connect farmers, healthcare providers, and patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and impact of a community-based Food is Medicine program.
- To develop and implement a locally sourced, medically tailored meal (MTM) model.
- To evaluate the program's effect on participant health outcomes and local economic benefits.
Main Methods:
- Meals were designed by a registered dietitian adhering to American Heart Association (AHA) and MyPlate nutrition guidelines.
- Recipes were adapted for freezing and scaled for production, utilizing ingredients sourced from 26 central Kentucky farms.
- Participants with hypertension or type 2 diabetes (T2D) received 10 MTMs weekly for 12 weeks.
Main Results:
- Twelve participants with complete data showed a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (137.5 to 128.1 mmHg).
- No significant changes were observed in diastolic blood pressure or BMI.
- Over 80% of ingredients were locally sourced, generating $10,686 in farm sales, with high participant satisfaction.
Conclusions:
- A community-based FIM model using local MTMs improved health outcomes and provided economic benefits to local farmers.
- Strengthening community capacity is essential for scaling these programs.
- Integration into healthcare payment systems is a critical next step for sustainability.
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