April 15th, 2026
To: Senator Carter, and Members, Families, Seniors, and Health Committee
From: Amanda Berry, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower Missouri
Re: Support for HB 2355
We often think of healthcare and the economy as separate issues, but they are deeply connected. Diet-related conditions are one of the largest drivers of healthcare spending and lost productivity in the United States, with total economic costs exceeding $1.1 trillion annually.¹ Missouri is already feeling that impact through higher healthcare costs, workforce strain, and reduced economic stability across communities.
Food Is Medicine offers a way to redirect some of that spending into our local economy.
These programs are not just about providing food. They create a structured demand for healthy, medically appropriate food through the healthcare system, a demand that can be met by Missouri farmers, producers, food hubs, and small businesses. When food is sourced locally, the economic impact extends well beyond the initial purchase. Research shows that every dollar spent on locally produced food generates between $1.32 and $1.90 in additional economic activity.²
This means healthcare dollars can circulate within Missouri communities, supporting jobs, strengthening local supply chains, and building more resilient regional food systems.
One of the strongest components of this policy is the inclusion of language that prioritizes community-based organizations and local growers whenever feasible. That is not just an implementation detail; it is a strategic choice. It ensures that as these healthcare interventions are developed, public dollars are reinvested in Missouri communities, supporting farmers, strengthening local businesses, and building the infrastructure needed for long-term success.
This is a rare opportunity to align public health investment with economic development in a way that benefits both urban and rural communities across the state.
This bill is also an opportunity to strengthen cross-sector infrastructure. Food is Medicine programs rely on coordination between healthcare providers, community-based organizations, and food producers, creating long-term capacity to address both health and economic challenges in a more integrated way.⁴
This is not just a health policy, it’s an economic strategy. It supports Missouri producers, keeps dollars local, strengthens communities, and addresses one of the root causes driving healthcare costs.
For these reasons, I respectfully ask you to support HB 2355.
References
- Missouri General Assembly. House Bill 2355, Food Is Medicine Act.
- Food Is Medicine Institute. Advances in the Field of Food Is Medicine: Annual Report 2025.https://www.healthcarexfood.org
Tufts Food Is Medicine Institute. True Cost of Food: Food is Medicine Case Study.
Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation. Maximizing the Impact of Nutrition Interventions with Local Food Procurement.
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