Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in Congress that would allow the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to offer produce prescriptions to veterans with diet-related chronic diseases. The bill, known as the Produce Prescription for Veterans Act, would enable eligible veterans to receive vouchers or debit cards to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at no cost or a reduced price.
“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 Congressman Vern 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.”
Senator Dick Durbin added, “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. 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.”
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree stated, “For their service and sacrifice, our veterans deserve the best health care possible—including access to fresh, healthy food. 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.”
National data shows fewer than 13 percent of Americans eat enough fruits and vegetables each day. Many lack affordable options for produce, which contributes to higher rates of diseases like heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and certain cancers. Veterans face even higher rates of these illnesses compared with nonveterans; about one in four report being food insecure—almost double the rate seen in the general population.
Research by organizations such as the American Heart Association indicates adults participating in produce prescription programs increase fruit and vegetable intake by 30 percent daily while also seeing improvements in blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
The proposed act would give clear authority for VA medical providers to include produce prescriptions as part of clinical care for eligible patients.
The National Produce Prescription Collaborative and International Fresh Produce Association have endorsed this measure.
“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 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.”
Cathy Burns from International Fresh Produce Association commented: “Today’s legislation takes a pivotal step forward in integrating fruits and vegetables into health care at scale. 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 advocated on related issues during his time representing Florida’s 16th congressional district since 2007 (https://buchanan.house.gov/about/). In February 2025 he introduced another bill focused on nutrition—the bipartisan Veterans Nutrition and Wellness Act—which sought a pilot program offering medically tailored meals through VA services.
Buchanan was born in Detroit in 1951; he lives in Sarasota now (https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/B001260), holds degrees from Cleary University (1975) as well as University of Detroit Mercy (1986).
