Stewart Introduces Bill to Increase Access to Fresh Produce and Improve Health Outcomes in Underserved Communities and Food Deserts
Legislation would allow NJ FamilyCare patients to receive healthy food prescriptions and expand access through local pharmacies.
TRENTON, NJ — Assemblyman Kenyatta Stewart (D-Bergen, Passaic) introduced legislation to allow NJ FamilyCare recipients to receive healthy food prescriptions as part of their treatment, while also expanding access to fresh produce through local pharmacies.
The bill would establish a three-year pilot program that would enable doctors to prescribe healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and culturally appropriate staples, to patients diagnosed with diet-related conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.
“This is about meeting people where they are,” said Assemblyman Stewart. “By allowing pharmacies to offer healthy food options and fill prescriptions, we’re making it easier for families to access the nutrition they need to stay healthy.”
Under the bill:
- NJ FamilyCare would cover food prescriptions written by licensed healthcare providers
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Prescriptions could be filled at participating pharmacies
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Pharmacies would be eligible for grants to build out healthy food sections, including refrigeration and storage for fresh produce
- The program would prioritize partnerships with local farmers and food suppliers
- Community organizations would help patients access and use prescribed foods
- The State would track health outcomes and potential cost savings
The legislation expands New Jersey’s existing Healthy Small Food Retailer program by incorporating retail pharmacies to allow them to not only dispense healthy food prescriptions, but also to receive financial assistance to stock and promote fresh, nutritious foods in underserved communities and food deserts.
Participating pharmacies will be able to use grant funding for equipment like refrigeration, shelving, and storage to create dedicated healthy food sections to increase access in both urban and rural areas where fresh food options are limited. By improving access to nutritious food, the bill aims to reduce costly emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and long-term healthcare expenses associated with chronic disease.
“Too many communities are forced to rely on unhealthy options because that’s all that’s available nearby,” Stewart added. “This bill changes that by turning trusted neighborhood locations into hubs for health and wellness.”
The bill appropriates $500,000 to support implementation and will require federal approvals to maximize Medicaid funding participation.
The full text of the bill can be found here.
