Food is Medicine State Officer Program

The Food is Medicine State Officer Program is a three-year initiative funded through a joint philanthropic effort by The Rockefeller Foundation and Builders Vision, and administered via RF Catalytic Capital, Inc. The program is facilitated by the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing health care access and outcomes for people enrolled in Medicaid. Over the last 30 years, CHCS has worked in partnership with state Medicaid and health agencies to improve care delivery and drive systems-level health equity across the United States. The Food is Medicine Impact Fund, established by the founding partners, serves as the financial backbone of this initiative and aims to expand access to medically tailored food and nutrition programs for individuals with chronic, diet-related health conditions. This funding opportunity is designed to support up to 10 states in strengthening their capacity to integrate and expand food-based health interventions—known as Food is Medicine (FIM) programs—within their health care systems. These interventions include medically tailored meals and groceries, as well as produce prescriptions. The program seeks to improve health outcomes and reduce health care costs for individuals facing diet-related conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and high-risk pregnancies. Each selected state will receive funding to hire a dedicated FIM state officer whose salary and benefits will be supported for a period of three years. These officers will lead efforts to coordinate FIM-related initiatives across Medicaid, public health, and other agencies within their states. In addition to funding, the program offers a robust structure of technical assistance and leadership development. Each FIM state officer will receive virtual and in-person onboarding, personalized coaching, and tailored technical assistance to support their state’s unique FIM goals. Officers will also participate in the FIM State Officer Hub, a national learning and peer-to-peer network that hosts virtual sessions, in-person convenings, and expert-led discussions to encourage knowledge sharing and state-to-state collaboration. This ecosystem is intended to empower officers to implement high-quality, culturally appropriate, and sustainable FIM programs. Eligibility for the program is limited to state agencies that have demonstrated leadership commitment to implementing or expanding FIM initiatives. States at all stages of FIM programming—from exploration to active implementation—are encouraged to apply. A key requirement is the demonstration of high-level support from state leadership, including governors or senior agency officials, and the capacity to hire a FIM state officer within six months of the program's launch. Only one application per state is permitted, and applicants must provide clear plans for program implementation, staffing, and coordination across agencies. The application process begins with the submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI), which is due by February 27, 2026, at 5 PM ET. This letter must be submitted on official state or departmental letterhead, include contact information, and be signed by a senior state leader to affirm support. States selected to move forward will be invited on March 23, 2026, to submit a full Request for Proposal (RFP), which is due by May 1, 2026. Final selection notifications will be issued by May 26, 2026, and the program period will commence in June 2026, running through June 2029. For questions or more information, applicants may contact [email protected]. The LOI must include specific sections that outline state leadership commitment, current readiness and initiatives, capacity to hire, proposed roles for the FIM state officer, and confirmation of the state's willingness to fully participate in all aspects of the three-year program. Through this opportunity, states have a chance to create lasting change in how food and nutrition are integrated into health care to combat chronic disease and support community well-being.

Ensure strong leadership commitment is demonstrated; detail inter-agency coordination; be clear about current program readiness