Trinity Health Michigan says its "Food as Medicine" farms supplied 20,000 patients in 2024 and seeks state funds to expand

Trinity Health Michigan told the House Oversight Subcommittee on Public Health and Food Security that its Food as Medicine program provided fresh produce to about 20,000 patients in 2024 and is seeking state support to expand the model.

"We serve 20,000 patients with food from our farms," said Caitlin Smogger, director of Food as Medicine on the Farm at Trinity Health, during a presentation to the committee. Smogger outlined on‑campus farms, clinic distribution and a 36‑week FarmShare box intended to connect patients and community members with locally grown fruits and vegetables.

The program includes farms at Trinity Health Ann Arbor (started 2010), Trinity Health Oakland (started 2020) and the McLaughlin Groves farm in Muskegon (established 2009 and joined Trinity Health in 2024). Trinity supplies produce to clinic partners, community food pantries and weekly farm stands. Smogger said about 80% of the food grown at the hospital farms is stocked in mini‑fridges inside participating clinics so patients can take produce home after visits.

The program uses what Smogger described…