Rep. Kelly reintroduces bipartisan legislation to improve access to healthy, nutritious food

The following release is from the office of Congresswoman Robyn Kelly

Washington – Today, U.S. Representatives Robin Kelly (IL-02) and Jane Kegans (VA-02) introduced bipartisan legislation to support Food and Drug Administration programs, which improve health outcomes through nutrition while reducing health care costs.

“Most of me live in urban, suburban and rural areas closer to a fast food restaurant than a grocery store. They don’t have access to the nutritious foods that fuel our bodies and minds.” Representative Kelly said. “I’m facing these challenges and expanding access to nutrition through food drug programs. The best medicine is preventative medicine — and that includes food.”

“Prioritizing proper nutrition and expanding access to healthy foods are critical to addressing the growing prevalence of obesity and chronic disease in our nation. As a nurse practitioner, I understand the important role that nutrition plays in improving health outcomes.” Rep. Kiggans said. “The Food for Health Act addresses this issue head-on by increasing access to these programs while promoting on-site food pantries and promoting education about proper nutrition. I am proud to work with Rap Key to strengthen preventive care, improve public health, and ensure that more Americans have access to the nutritious foods they need to live healthy lives.”

The Food for Health Act directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretaries of Health and Human Services to provide grants to food and drug programs that prioritize local foods and regional diversity. The bill would authorize $20 million through fiscal year 2031 and require an initial report to Congress that analyzes the effectiveness and impact on patient outcomes and system costs.

Diet for Health is endorsed by Devon’s Chicago Dream and Cosmic Crate, the Greater Chicago Food Depository, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and Recovery Thinking.

“For too long, our health care system has treated food-related illness as inevitable rather than preventable. Food is not just sustenance; it is one of the most powerful tools we have to improve health outcomes, reduce health care costs, and restore dignity to families with chronic illness.” said Dion Dawson, CEO of Dion’s Chicago Dream and Cosmic Crate. “Congresswoman Robin Kelly’s Food for Health Act recognizes what communities and professionals across the country already know: When fresh, nutritious food is integrated into care, lives change. Through our work to deliver millions of pounds of fresh produce directly to families, we’ve seen firsthand that access to healthy food can be a critical step in stabilizing health and strengthening communities. Making food a permanent and scalable part of our health care system.”

“For the neighbors we serve in Chicago and suburban Cook County, food is not pure sustenance; food is medicine.” said Kate Maher, executive director and CEO of the Greater Chicago Food Reserve. “Many of the people we serve are simultaneously dealing with the stress of food insecurity, such as managing diabetes, high blood pressure, or obesity. We know that reliable and consistent access to healthy food improves health outcomes. We applaud Congresswoman Robin Kelly for her leadership of the Food for Food program and other food bank programs that ensure the Food Bank Program and Food Bank support more. Partners have the opportunity to participate.”

“The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics commends the Food for Health Act for promoting the integration of nutrition in health care and expanding access to nutritious foods according to qualified nutrition expertise.” said Dean Brandstetter, president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “Registered nutritionists experience every day that food and nutrition can impact the prevention and management of a wide range of chronic and acute conditions as they provide evidence-based nutrition care and medical nutrition therapy within professional care teams. This legislation strengthens partnerships between health care providers and community organizations, helping to reduce long-term health care costs.”

“We can stop chronic disease in this country and scale up regenerative agriculture at the same time.” Ryan Slabaugh said in Reproducing Thought. “Our 2025-2026 Food-is-Medicine pilot project in Pembroke Township gave us proof: connecting community members with type II diabetes to local food centers and organic farms has changed lives for the better for everyone — including farmers. Congressional support to expand these pilot programs is what we need.”