Beyond fresh: implications of produce prescription policy for food systems transformation

Food policy is implemented as a far reaching strategy to drive individual, systems, and environmental level changes. Yet, food policies, even when well intentioned, could reinforce dietary disparities and impede progress towards shaping equitable, resilient, and sustainable food systems 1 The Food is Medicine movement in the United States (US), including approaches such as medically tailored meals, medically tailored groceries, and produce prescriptions, offers a timely platform to examine these dynamics. Food is Medicine interventions are offered in conjunction with healthcare systems to support patients with low-income to receive healthful food to prevent or manage chronic disease. Within this broader landscape, this commentary focuses specifically on produce prescriptions as a case through which to consider how policy design can support or constrain food systems transformation.