Trinity Health Michigan Study Shows Food Is Medicine Programs Improve Nutrition and Food Security
July 20, 2026
A newly published study led by researchers from Trinity Health Michigan and the University of Michigan found that participation in a health care-based Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program increased fruit and vegetable consumption and improved household food security among participants.
Published in Health Promotion Practice, the study evaluated Trinity Health’s Food Is Medicine program that provided participants with weekly fresh produce through a CSA model. Unlike many produce prescription programs, the initiative allowed enrollment through both health care provider referrals and self-referral, helping reach people with a variety of nutrition and food access needs.
Researchers analyzed 164 pre- and post-program surveys and found that participants reported eating more fruits and vegetables after completing the program. Household food security also improved significantly, with the share of food-secure households increasing from 20% at enrollment to 45% after participation.
The study also explored whether longer participation led to greater improvements. While researchers found no significant relationship between program length and food security outcomes, the overall positive results reinforce the value of health care-based food access programs in addressing important social drivers of health.
These findings add to the growing evidence that Food Is Medicine interventions can help improve nutrition and reduce food insecurity while strengthening connections between health care systems, local food producers, and community members.
Interested in learning more about our Food is Medicine Programs?
Citation: Colasanti K, Di Stefano F, Gerhart J, Shores A, Smoger K. Food is Medicine in Action: Dietary and Food Security Outcomes of a Health Care-Based Community-Supported Agriculture Program. Health Promotion Practice. Published online March 4, 2026.