Growing Health Forums

Food as Medicine Summit: November 6th, 2019 

DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel Binghamton 

225 Water Street, Binghamton, NY 13901

Registration Deadline: Friday, November 1st!

The Food as Medicine Summit will bring together regional stakeholders around the critical connections between nutrition, food security, and chronic diseases, the services and interventions that recognize and address these links, and the opportunities for economic development through local procurement.

The day long event will feature a keynote address by Jean Terranova, Director of Food and Health Policy at Community Servings, a leading nonprofit in medically-tailored meals, and a co-author of the Massachusetts Food is Medicine State Plan. There will also be a plenary panel on the local food as medicine landscape, lunch program on Food as Medicine for Chronic Illness , afternoon workshops, and concluding session to identify next steps.

The Food as Medicine Summit is hosted by Rural Health Network of South Central NY in collaboration with HealtheConnections. Event partners include Care Compass Network, VINES: Volunteers Improving Neighborhood Environments and the Food Bank of the Southern Tier.


Summit Schedule:

9am – 9:30am: Registration

9:30am – 9:55am: Welcome & Opening Remarks

10am – 10:50am: Keynote and Q&A – Jean Terranova, Director of Food and Health Policy at Community Servings, and a co-author of the Massachusetts Food is Medicine State Plan

Jean Terranova is Director of Food and Health Policy at Community Servings, a Boston-based not-for-profit that prepares and delivers high quality medically tailored meals to individuals coping with complex illnesses.  A graduate of Suffolk University Law School, Jean has worn many hats as a social justice attorney and advocate. Jean also holds a professional chef’s degree, and has provided consulting services to food-focused non-profits and entrepreneurs.

11am – 12pm: Plenary Panel – Regional Food as Medicine Landscape

12pm – 1:15pm: Lunch & Lunch Program
Food as Medicine for Chronic Illness – Lisa Zullig, Director of Nutrition Services, God’s Love We Deliver

Lisa Zullig is the Director of Nutrition Services at God’s Love We Deliver in New York City, a medically tailored food and nutrition program for people living with serious illnesses. She also co-leads Clinical Committee of the Food is Medicine Coalition, an association of non-profit medically tailored food and nutrition service providers. Lisa is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Dietitian/Nutritionist, Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition, a graduate of the Natural Gourmet Institute’s Chef Training Program and holds a Master’s degree in Nutrition from Brooklyn College.

1:30pm – 2:30pm: Afternoon Workshops

  • Track 1: Beyond the Cost of Food – Addressing Barriers and Health Disparities
  • Track 2: Integrating Food as Medicine Strategies in Healthcare Settings
  • Track 3: Geisinger Fresh Food Farmacy

2:45pm – 3:30pm: Next Steps & Conclusion

Program Details

Launched in 2016, our series of Growing Health Forums bring local, state, and national leaders together for learning and networking on key health, food security, agriculture, and policy issues. Sign up for our newsletter to learn about upcoming Growing Health Forums!