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Gary speakers say ‘‘Food Is Medicine’’ program shows health benefits but faces funding shortfall
Summary
Participants and the program representative told the Gary Common Council that a medically tailored meals program reduced blood pressure and medication use but will run out of funding in several months; speakers asked the city and partners for help to continue the program.
At the Sept. 16, 2025 meeting of the Gary Common Council, a program representative described a locally run “Food Is Medicine” initiative that provides medically tailored meal boxes to residents with chronic conditions and said the program will run out of funding in about five months unless additional support is found.
The presenter told the council the program served cohorts of about 50 participants for six months, delivered seven meals per week, and provided a box every other week with roughly $75 worth of produce and protein even though the box is typically budgeted at $40. The speaker said the program obtained two grants — a state grant of $500,000 and an additional federal grant (amount not specified) — and that the program’s university partner reported measurable health improvements among participants.
Program leaders and several participants said the initiative led to lower blood pressure readings, reduced medication use…
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