LOUISVILLE, KY – (January 13, 2026) The Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA) today reaffirmed its support for Food Is Medicine efforts across the Commonwealth and welcomed the growing national focus on real, nutrient-dense foods as a foundation for better health, highlighted by the federal RealFood.gov initiative. KHA’s Food Is Medicine work reflects a simple truth: when people have reliable access to healthy food, communities get stronger and health outcomes can improve.
Across Kentucky, hospitals are ready to respond, partnering with local farmers, food producers, and community organizations to deliver practical, evidence-informed food-based interventions that help prevent, manage, and treat diet-related disease. These efforts can include medically tailored meals, produce prescription programs, nutrition education, and other strategies that meet patients where they are, especially those facing food insecurity and chronic illness.
“Food Is Medicine is hopeful because it’s actionable,” said KHA President and CEO Nancy Galvagni. “Kentucky hospitals are prepared to lead, working alongside local growers and community partners to make nutrient-dense food more accessible for our most vulnerable neighbors, while strengthening local agriculture and the economy that supports it.”
KHA emphasized that Kentucky is uniquely positioned for this work. The Commonwealth’s hospitals are deeply rooted in their communities, and Kentucky’s farmers and producers bring generational expertise and the capacity to supply high-quality, nutrient-dense foods. When these partners align, the impact can reach beyond individual patients by supporting workforce health, improving community resilience, and reinforcing local food infrastructure.
“RealFood.gov underscores what many Kentucky communities already know: real food matters,” noted Morgan Bray, Food is Medicine Program Coordinator with KHA and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. “When hospitals and growers work together, we can improve health outcomes and create new, meaningful market opportunities for Kentucky agriculture.”
KHA’s Food Is Medicine initiative builds on collaboration and shared mission: improving the health of Kentuckians while supporting the people who grow and produce the foods that fuel wellness. KHA encourages hospitals, growers, community leaders, and policymakers to join in strengthening these partnerships and expanding access to nutritious foods across the state.
About the Kentucky Hospital Association: The Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA), established in 1929, represents 129 hospitals, related health care organizations and integrated health care systems dedicated to sustaining and improving the health of Kentuckians. KHA members combine to employ over 95,000 people, a workforce larger than any single employer in the Commonwealth. Hospitals in Kentucky are among the largest employers in their communities where they provide comprehensive, quality care 24 hours a day, every day of the year. For more information, visit kyha.com.
About Food Is Medicine in Kentucky: Food Is Medicine is a partnership between the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Kentucky Hospital Association connecting health care and nutrition by integrating food-based interventions into care by helping prevent, manage, and treat diet-related diseases while supporting stronger local food systems. Learn more at www.foodismedicineky.com.
