‘Veggies for Veterans’ aims to improve health, well-being of those who served

Hawai‘i Island nonprofit Ho‘ōla Farms launched a new initiative earlier this year to improve the health and well-being of military veterans with fresh Hawai‘i-grown products.

Veggies for Veterans began in February and runs through May. This pilot program — a Food is Medicine initiative — serves 90 East Hawai‘i veterans managing chronic health conditions.

Participants receive bi-weekly deliveries of fresh produce and protein worth $40 sourced from Big Island farmers, ensuring they receive nutrient-dense food while supporting the island’s agricultural economy.

“Food is one of the most powerful forms of medicine,” said Ho‘ōla Farms Executive Director Emily Emmons. “This program bridges the gap between clinical care and food access — providing fresh, locally-grown food in a way that reinforces healthy eating habits, supports long-term well-being and reminds veterans that nourishing their bodies is a vital step in their journey toward healing.”

The program, a partnership with the Hilo Veterans Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, addresses the disproportionate impact of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions, on Hawai‘i’s kūpuna and veteran populations.

Veterans receiving the food are deeply grateful for the support.

“I am an 80-year-old U.S. Army veteran … For the last 3 months, every other week, Liz will come by with two bags of wonderful quality food items. Always of the highest standard,” said program participant Akama Thomson. “I am certain that I speak for many other vets who are recipients of your program. The benefits that you are offering to us in your kindness and thoughtfulness are very special and unique.”

Ho‘ōla Farms is actively seeking partners and funding to continue and expand the program after the Veggies for Veterans pilot concludes at the end of this month.

The nonprofit — founded in 2015 and focused on educating and empowering military veterans, first responders and the wider community through sustainable agriculture and food access programs — plans to increase the number of participants the program serves, improve health outcomes and create a stronger market for local farmers.

Anyone interested in supporting or collaborating in this initiative is encouraged to reach out via email to grow@hoolafarms.org.

Veggies for Veterans is part of Ho‘ōla Farms’ broader Food is Medicine initiative, which is supported by the 2024 Food is Medicine focus area, a grant from Kaiser Permanente.

Food Is Medicine initiatives are evidence-based solutions for addressing food and nutrition insecurity and the many diet-related, chronic diseases affecting millions of people in the United States and around the globe.

They include targeted interventions such as medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, culinary medicine, nutrition counseling and programs that help people access and afford healthy food to effectively treat a range of diet-driven diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and hypertension.

“There is a growing appetite for treating food as medicine and investing in innovative interventions that will improve our nation’s diet,” said former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in a Kaiser Permanente release about the initiatives. “At [Health and Human Services], we refer to this as ‘never going mild.’ It’s a shared commitment to embrace bold solutions and never settle for the status quo.”