H.R. 5412 — Food Farmacy Act of 2025

This section states a congressional finding that the goal of healthy food pharmacies (also known as “food farmacies”) is to improve the health outcomes of their patrons by expanding access to nutritious foods and providing nutritional guidance.

This section authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, to award grants to eligible entities (i.e., nonprofit qualified health care providers, state or local governments, or Tribal organizations) to establish and operate healthy food pharmacies that provide nutritious foods per USDA Dietary Guidelines and nutritional guidance from qualified health care professionals (e.g., registered dietitians, physicians, nurse practitioners). Grants may fund (1) construction, conversion, or renovation; (2) equipment, including for mobile pharmacies; (3) staffing to connect patients to health and food insecurity programs; and (4) food and materials acquisition. Eligible pharmacies must prioritize low-income, rural, or food-insecure communities; provide free services to Medicaid and SNAP beneficiaries; and support HHS's "Food is Medicine" initiative (i.e., using nutrition to treat diet-related diseases). Grant applications must include a plan for post-grant sustainability; awards are capped at $500,000 per entity per fiscal year; and HHS may waive certain Social Security Act title XI requirements. Grantees must submit annual reports on metrics such as patrons served, health outcomes, and food types; HHS must report biennially to Congress starting two years after enactment.