The LSU AgCenter recently co-hosted the second Louisiana Food Is Medicine Convening in Baton Rouge in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Health’s Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention and Healthcare Access, also known as Well-Ahead Louisiana.
The convening was organized through the AgCenter High Obesity Program and brought together a diverse group of stakeholders committed to advancing Food Is Medicine efforts across the state.
Denise Holston, AgCenter associate professor, registered dietitian and state nutrition specialist, said Food Is Medicine is used to describe programs and interventions that include the provision of healthy food integrated into healthcare to help prevent, treat or manage clinical conditions.
The Louisiana Food Is Medicine Convenings are part of AgCenter and Well-Ahead Louisiana’s broader efforts to address and reduce health disparities related to nutrition, physical activity and obesity in Louisiana. These 5-year programs are funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The first convening, held in March, gathered a smaller group of key partners and stakeholders to explore current Food Is Medicine initiatives in Louisiana, identify opportunities to fund larger-scale programs and begin establishing shared goals.
During opening remarks of the meeting, Nancy Lowenthal, Well-Ahead Louisiana Bureau director, said the conversation around Food Is Medicine has continued to grow momentum, both nationally and locally, noting Well-Ahead and AgCenter joined hundreds of leaders at the first national Food Is Medicine Convening in Washington, D.C. in June.
“One of the strongest messages we heard throughout that meeting was that states are increasingly becoming drivers in this movement,” said Lowenthal.
The follow-up convening focused on refining goals and identifying priority needs to advance Food Is Medicine efforts statewide. The session was facilitated by CDC technical assistance provider and food systems strategist Karen Shore of Upstream Strategies and included structured, collaborative discussions designed to shape the next phase of this work.
The event also provided networking opportunities to strengthen partnerships and coordinate Food Is Medicine initiatives across sectors.
Holston underscored the importance of continued collaboration among stakeholders working on Food Is Medicine initiatives.
“This convening is the second of several opportunities to proactively and collaboratively develop a blueprint for measurable, sustainable Food Is Medicine work that is feasible for stakeholders while still meeting the needs of Louisiana citizens,” Holston said.
Holston said Food Is Medicine interventions can take on a variety of forms and include Produce Rx programs, which include medically tailored groceries or medically tailored meals, noting that studies on Produce Rx programs show promising impacts on managing clinical biomarkers for adverse cardiometabolic health, like weight, blood pressure and blood sugar control.
Pat R. Van Burkleo, executive director of Feeding Louisiana, emphasized the shared commitment among participants.
“The Food Is Medicine convening brought together people who share a deep passion for helping our neighbors live healthier, more food-secure lives,” Van Burkleo said. “The energy, innovation and commitment in the room showed that Food Is Medicine is not just an idea — it is a practical, powerful strategy for improving health outcomes across Louisiana.”
Partners and stakeholders represented a broad Food Is Medicine ecosystem, including organizations from healthcare, public health, academia and community-based sectors. Participants included representatives from the Louisiana Department of Health, Louisiana Primary Care Association, Feeding Louisiana, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation, North Oaks Health System, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, University of Louisiana Monroe, Tulane University and LSU Health Sciences Center – New Orleans, among others.
The LSU AgCenter and Well-Ahead Louisiana will continue to co-convene stakeholders to support Food Is Medicine efforts statewide.
For more information about the CDC HOP and the Louisiana Food Is Medicine convening, please contact Jamila Freightman at jfreightman@agcenter.lsu.edu.
For information about CDC State Physical Activity and Nutrition Program and Well-Ahead Louisiana’s Food Is Medicine initiatives, please contact Taylor Bonds at taylor.bonds@la.gov.
For more information about partnering with the LSU AgCenter on Food Is Medicine initiatives, contact Denise Holston at dholston@agcenter.lsu.edu.
