AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — The High Plains Food Bank, serving 29 counties in the Texas Panhandle, is among several food banks collaborating with lawmakers to support the “Food is Medicine” bill.
Last year, the food bank distributed 1.2 million pounds of fresh produce and proteins.
The proposed legislation aims to allow doctors to prescribe food as a form of medicine. Patients could receive a prescription for food, enabling them to obtain a healthy food box from places like the High Plains Food Bank.
This initiative is designed to address both food insecurity and medical needs through improved nutrition.
Executive Director Zach Wilson explained that the bill would assist doctors in identifying food needs by incorporating questions about food security during patient screenings.
“Hey, do you have a hard time putting food on the table and if so what type of items would be most in need of,” Wilson said. “He noted that while food insecurity screenings have been ongoing, the bill would formalize the process.
Wilson emphasized the limitations food banks face due to reliance on donations and purchasing power. He said the bill could help secure necessary food items for those in need.
“We see this program as a way to get funded potentially to go out and specifically look for these food items that are needed, let’s say in a person who is diabetic in their diet, and tailor it to that,” Wilson said.
Currently, no action has been taken on the House bill. However, an identical bill in the Senate had its first reading last week and was referred to the Health and Human Services Committee.
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