The Rockefeller Foundation, in partnership with Builders Vision, has launched the Food is Medicine Impact Fund, hosted by RF Catalytic Capital, Inc., to improve health outcomes for Americans living with chronic, diet-related conditions. The fund aims to promote the adoption of high-quality Food is Medicine (FIM) programs nationwide, with initial investments focused on building state-level leadership and program infrastructure. These programs, including produce prescriptions, medically tailored groceries, and meals, have shown potential to improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs, yet many struggle to expand beyond pilot stages due to limited capacity, fragmented implementation, and low awareness.
The fund will support the creation of a FIM State Officer Program, managed by the Center for Health Care Strategies, to help up to ten U.S. states hire dedicated leaders over three years. These officers will coordinate policies and programs, strengthen implementation, and ensure FIM initiatives meet the health and nutrition needs of residents. By investing in state-level leadership, the initiative seeks to embed nutrition as a fundamental part of healthcare and chronic disease prevention across the country.
Another core objective of the fund is to increase public and provider awareness of FIM programs. Awareness remains a key barrier, with many Americans and healthcare providers unfamiliar with the programs’ benefits. By broadening understanding, the fund aims to enable more people to access nutritious food through FIM initiatives, thereby improving diets and addressing chronic health conditions.
Chronic diet-related diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, are leading causes of death in the United States, particularly in low-income communities. Poor diets currently cost the U.S. $1.1 trillion annually in healthcare spending and lost productivity. Recognizing this, 17 state Medicaid programs already cover FIM programs as a medical benefit, highlighting their potential for reducing healthcare costs and improving well-being.
The Rockefeller Foundation has a long history of supporting FIM programs, including research on effectiveness and impact. Since 2019, it has committed over $220 million to food system transformation, including a $100 million initiative in 2024 to expand access to FIM programs, regenerative school meals, and the Periodic Table of Food Initiative. The Food is Medicine Impact Fund builds on this work by investing in program infrastructure, technical support, public awareness, and research to ensure equitable access for all individuals, regardless of income.
Builders Vision, a philanthropic and investment organization, focuses on accelerating promising solutions in food and agriculture, energy, and ocean sectors, using innovative capital strategies. RF Catalytic Capital, Inc., a charitable offshoot of The Rockefeller Foundation, aggregates funding and resources to amplify impact and support collaborative solutions to complex challenges. Together, these organizations aim to scale Food is Medicine programs and strengthen state and national capacity to improve health outcomes through nutrition-based interventions.
