March 3, 2026 | Food is Medicine in Louisiana: A Landscape Review

Many rural communities experience high rates of food insecurity and limited access to affordable healthy foods like fresh fruits and vegetables. Produce Prescription and Food is Medicine initiatives that address nutrition and health-related conditions within healthcare settings enable health care workers to increase fruit and vegetable consumption and food security by prescribing fruits and vegetables to patients with chronic disease and lack of access to nutritious foods. However, Louisiana has seen limited Produce Prescription and Food is Medicine implementation in rural areas.

This session explores the current landscape of Produce Prescription and Food is Medicine programs in Louisiana, with a focus on rural implementation. Drawing from findings of a recent statewide landscape review conducted by the LSU AgCenter High Obesity Program (HOP), the session highlights key opportunities, challenges, and best practices for integrating Food is Medicine strategies into rural healthcare and community settings.

Attendees will gain insights into how these programs can improve food access, support chronic disease prevention, and stimulate local economies. The session will also cover key successes and lessons learned of a recent Produce Prescription program implemented in five HOP parishes.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the barriers to implementing Produce Rx programs in Louisiana.

2. Understand how rural health professionals and organizations can work with Extension to expand access to Produce Rx programs in rural Louisiana.

3. Be knowledgeable about current Produce Rx initiatives in Louisiana and lessons learned from implementation.

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