Veterans Nutrition and Wellness Act of 2025

The Veterans Nutrition and Wellness Act of 2025 would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a three-year pilot program called the “Food is Medicine” program. Within 180 days of enactment, the VA would provide medically-tailored meals and medically-tailored groceries to eligible veterans—along with nutrition education and cooking classes delivered by registered dietitians, nutritionists, and community health workers. The program is designed to be integrated into veterans’ existing health plans, with training for VA health care providers on how to incorporate this food-based approach into treatment. The effort would also involve partnerships with community organizations (such as food banks and local farms) to secure fresh, locally sourced produce. Eligibility focuses on veterans enrolled in VA health care who have multiple chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, cancer, heart failure) or who are receiving maternal-health care and are at risk of conditions like preeclampsia or gestational diabetes. The act mandates annual reporting to Congress on participation, health outcomes, quality of life, and potential cost savings, and it authorizes funding for 2025–2028 to support program operations, staffing, research, and partnerships. The authority ends three years after enactment.