The Food Club Network took an active role at the 2025 Michigan Food as Medicine Summit, held October 7–8 — a statewide gathering that brought leaders, practitioners, and advocates together to “build powerful, Michigan-based networks, gain practical and innovative strategies, and shape the state’s first unified Food as Medicine advocacy agenda.” For network representatives, the summit offered both validation and momentum: the work our clubs have been doing is increasingly recognized as contributing to the success of Food as Medicine strategies in Michigan.
Food as Medicine in Michigan
This summit, which built on Michigan’s progress in Food as Medicine, featured cross-sector participation from healthcare professionals, health plan employees, academics, food bank representatives, advocates, and community-based organizations. Even prior to the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in 2022, which reignited national focus on ending hunger and reducing chronic disease by 2030, organizations like Wholesome Wave, the National Produce Prescription (PRx) Collaborative, Food Bank Council of Michigan, and our local food clubs were advancing the idea that food is medicine. These models—including Fresh Food Pharmacy and other PRx approaches—connect patients managing chronic illness with nutritious food, necessary support, and dignified access points in their own communities.
And today Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services continues moving in that same direction, especially through Medicaid In Lieu of Services (ILOS). They have established a strong preference for locally based ILOS providers, and in contract year 2025 require at least 30% of each ILOS type to be delivered by local providers. It’s a reminder that real progress starts with the trusted community networks already doing the work.
The Critical Role of Food Clubs
The Food Club model — built on membership, choice, dignity, and access — offers both a clear philosophy and a practical way to put Food as Medicine into action. Food club food is sourced in three main ways: rescued or gleaned, donated, and purchased. Through programs like Local Food Purchase Assistance and Michigan Agriculture Surplus System, they invest in local farms and producers, while also partnering with nearby wholesalers to keep shelves stocked with variety and quality. This mix allows food clubs to support Food as Medicine efforts centered on fresh, healthy food that truly nourishes the community.
A summit session led by O’Nealya Gronstad (Lakeshore Food Club), Chara Bouma-Prediger (Community Action House), and Lauren Baker (Food Club Network) focused on what it really takes to put Food as Medicine ideas into practice. Because food clubs are already doing the daily, relationship-based work of connecting neighbors with healthy food, they were able to share grounded insights drawn from real experience.
- Start with community.
Food as Medicine works best when it’s built around Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and local food systems—groups that already understand their neighbors and their needs. With support from funders and healthcare partners, CBOs like those in our Food Club Network have begun forming strong partnerships with Corewell Health, Trinity Health, the American Heart Association, Michigan DHHS, and local health departments. - Strengthen local food pathways.
Programs that source from local farms and use regional food hubs not only strengthen the local economy but also ensure culturally relevant foods reach the community. Health systems and payers can reinforce this by partnering directly with CBOs or choosing vendors that prioritize community-rooted organizations and local producers. - Invest in the groundwork.
Because most communities still lack Food as Medicine infrastructure, funders play a pivotal role. Their support helps CBOs and local farms connect with vendors, healthcare partners, and payers to develop and implement programs. Philanthropy can move this work forward by backing proven models, funding critical infrastructure, and encouraging cross-sector collaboration.
Presenters also shared positive outcomes that current food club members regularly report:
- Greater food security: Members report fewer meals skipped and fewer experiences lacking adequate food to feed the household.
- Improved diet quality: Members report more healthful eating because of their food club’s fresh produce offerings and nutrition education options.
- Personal and/or financial stability: Members report improved ability to meet basic needs.
Putting Food As Medicine to Work
Our Food Club Network representatives described growing referral partnerships with healthcare providers, where clinics can refer patients to food club programs and receive updates when appropriate. These “closed-loop” systems show that Food as Medicine programs can meet clinical standards without losing the respect and dignity that come from community-based care.
Overall, the 2025 Michigan Food as Medicine Summit affirmed that food clubs are well-suited to any Food as Medicine effort that hopes to grow without losing sight of trust, dignity, and local connection. As demand continues to rise, our food clubs are proving that Food as Medicine isn’t just something we’re working toward; it’s already happening here, every day, in our communities. With the momentum built at this year’s summit, that work will only keep growing stronger.
