Three Takeaways from the Colorado Food as Medicine Summit
Now in its third year, the Colorado Food Is Medicine Summit, hosted by Project Angel Heart and Kaiser Permanente, is a one-day event that brings together leaders, practitioners, and advocates to explore innovative programs, share research, and build sustainable solutions that place nutrition at the center of care.
For me, it was a valuable opportunity to learn from experts in the field and to reconnect with clinicians, community health advocates, and organizations engaged in similar work, including many familiar faces.
After a full day of conversation, here are three key takeaways that stood out to me and highlight how this work is coming to life in Colorado.
What is "Food Is Medicine"?
Food Is Medicine, often referred to as “FIM”, is a health care approach that treats food and nutrition as part of medical care. It integrates evidence-based nutrition interventions, such as medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, and dietitian-led counseling, to help prevent and manage chronic disease.
If you’re interested in a deeper look at the Food Is Medicine concept, read my article on the Food Is Medicine debate, where I explore the benefits, limitations, and future of the FIM movement.
From Idea to Action: Three Key Takeaways
I was encouraged to see that FIM is no longer just a concept. It is actively being tested, funded, and implemented across health systems and communities, including here in Colorado. Throughout the day, the conversations highlighted both the promise of this work and the practical considerations involved in integrating food into clinical care and public policy.
FIM Has Momentum, but Cost and Infrastructure Still Drive Decisions
From a national perspective, Food Is Medicine is clearly having a moment. Across federal, state, and local levels, there is growing awareness that nutrition plays a meaningful role in chronic disease prevention and management. Summit speakers emphasized that attention to nutrition is increasing, particularly as health systems look for ways to address rising rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hospital readmissions.
At the same time, the limits of that momentum are significant. Cost remains the dominant constraint. Food is expensive. Health care budgets are limited. While enthusiasm for medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, and nutrition education is high, reimbursement pathways remain inconsistent. CMS has not adopted food-based interventions as covered services (yet).
The key question raised throughout the day was not just whether food works as an intervention, but whether health systems are building pathways to deliver food-based care effectively and sustainably.
In Colorado, Partnerships and Policy are Key
Colorado’s progress in FIM is rooted in collaboration. Case study after case study highlighted the value of partnerships between health plans, safety-net hospitals, community-based organizations, and food providers. When roles are clearly defined, shared goals can translate into meaningful impact.
Policy discussions reinforced that FIM does not exist in isolation. Colorado Medicaid 1115 and 1915(c) waivers, telehealth expansion, reimbursement for community health workers, and licensure pathways for registered dietitians all intersect with how nutrition care is delivered across the state.
Unfortunately, registered dietitians in Colorado were not granted licensure this year, despite significant advocacy efforts. The licensure bill advanced all the way to the governor’s desk but was ultimately vetoed. With changes in Colorado’s political landscape coming January 2027, there is cautious optimism that the bill may be reintroduced with more favorable consideration under a new governor.
There was also candid discussion about the social determinants that sit upstream of nutrition, including wages, childcare, housing stability, and access to care. Food-based interventions alone cannot solve these challenges, but they can play a meaningful role when integrated into broader community and clinical systems.
Dietitians at the Center of Setting Standards
As FIM programs expand, defining quality is critical. Multiple sessions focused on the need for clear standards and accreditation to ensure consistency across programming. Standards define what qualifies as FIM, while accreditation evaluates and enrolls providers based on those standards. Both are essential for payer confidence, clinical integration, and protection of vulnerable populations.
Throughout these conversations, the role of registered dietitians was repeatedly emphasized. Dietitians were consistently identified as central to program oversight, nutrition standards, clinical integration, and patient education. FIM may be gaining policy and public attention, but its credibility and effectiveness depend on nutrition expertise guiding its delivery.
Building What Comes Next
One of the most striking observations from the day was how aligned the room felt. Despite budget constraints and operational challenges, there was broad agreement on the importance of Food Is Medicine and the need for stronger nutrition infrastructure.
Food Is Medicine is no longer a fringe idea. The work now lies in building systems that function in the real world, within real budgets, and for real patients. I look forward to continuing to watch (and contribute!) to this work as it evolves in Colorado.
Interested in Integrating Food Is Medicine Into Your Practice?
If your clinic or organization is looking to thoughtfully integrate lifestyle medicine and Food Is Medicine practices into your care, I offer consultative support for practical, scalable nutrition strategies. Let’s connect to discuss your needs.
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