Chronic disease is a threat not only to Americans’ physical health but also to the nation’s financial health. Conditions like heart disease, cancer, diabetes and kidney failure account for trillions of dollars in annual health care spending and are among the leading causes of death in the U.S.

The growing consensus is clear that our health care system needs better solutions to manage chronic diseases. One promising tool is surprisingly simple: food.

But not just any food. We need nutritious, locally sourced, medically tailored meals — food-based interventions designed by registered dietitian nutritionists specifically for chronically ill Americans. These medically tailored meals are proven to improve health outcomes, reduce hospitalizations and lower health care costs. Just as important, they can reduce patients’........

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