Buchanan, Durbin, Pingree Introduce Bicameral, Bipartisan Legislation to Help Veterans Manage Chronic Disease Through Nutrition

"I've Long Believed That Prevention Should Be at the Heart of Our Health Care System, Especially When It Comes to Those Who've Served Our Country."

WASHINGTON - Congressman Vern Buchanan, Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) recently introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Produce Prescription for Veterans Act to expand access to nutritious food for veterans as part of their care.

The legislation would authorize the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide produce prescriptions to eligible veterans with diet-related chronic conditions. Under the bill, veterans could receive vouchers or debit cards to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at no cost or at a reduced cost.

"I've long believed that prevention should be at the heart of our health care system, especially when it comes to those who've served our country," said Buchanan. "The Produce Prescription for Veterans Act puts the 'food is medicine' approach into action by helping veterans manage diet-related chronic conditions before they worsen. Making sure veterans have access to fresh, nutritious whole fruits and vegetables is a simple way to improve health outcomes and strengthen their quality of life."

"As food costs climb and food deserts make grocery stores inaccessible, Americans-especially our veterans-are struggling to eat enough fruits and vegetables, contributing to high rates of chronic illness in the U.S.," said Durbin. "With the Produce Prescription for Veterans Act, we can put fresh foods within reach by implementing a 'produce prescription' program so that our veterans have the means to put fruits and vegetables on their plates."

"For their service and sacrifice, our veterans deserve the best health care possible-including access to fresh, healthy food," said Pingree. "Study after study has shown that eating more fruits and vegetables can be enormously beneficial to people suffering from chronic health conditions. This commonsense, bipartisan legislation is an important step towards improving veterans' health, reducing long-term health care costs, and ensuring that nutritious foods are available to any veteran who needs it."

Currently, less than 13 percent of Americans consume the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables. Limited access to affordable produce contributes to high rates of diet-related chronic conditions, including heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and certain cancers. Veterans experience disproportionately high rates of chronic disease compared to nonveterans, and nearly 25 percent of veterans report being food insecure, almost double the rate of the general population. The American Heart Association has found that adults who participate in produce prescription programs consume 30 percent more fruits and vegetables each day. Participants also experience measurable reductions in blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

The Produce Prescription for Veterans Act would establish clear authority for the VA to incorporate produce prescriptions into clinical care, helping veterans access nutritious food as part of a broader preventive health strategy.

The legislation is supported by the National Produce Prescription Collaborative and the International Fresh Produce Association.

"When a doctor prescribes eating more fruits and vegetables to manage chronic illness, veterans should have access to those nutritious foods just as they would have access to a medication," said Sam Hoeffler, director of the National Produce Prescription Collaborative. "This legislation establishes produce prescriptions as a medical service within the Veterans Health Administration and opens the door for veterans to receive the full range of health care services they deserve."

"Today's legislation takes a pivotal step forward in integrating fruits and vegetables into health care at scale," said Cathy Burns, CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association. "After years of successful pilots, we know produce prescriptions work. By incorporating this program into clinical care at the VA, the results could be transformational for the health of those who have served our nation."

Buchanan has been a leading advocate in Congress for combating obesity and addressing the chronic disease epidemic. In February 2025, he introduced the bipartisan Veterans Nutrition and Wellness Act (H.R. 1289), which would establish a pilot program within the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide medically tailored meals and groceries to eligible veterans.

###