Meet Erin Martin: Champion for Food as Medicine
Erin Martin’s path to becoming a national voice for food as medicine didn’t begin in a kitchen or a field. It began in a retirement community.
Originally on track for a career in law, Erin’s early work with older adults reshaped her calling. She pursued a degree in gerontology and, during her master’s program at USC, led advocacy efforts serving low-income seniors in Southern California. What she witnessed was troubling: people aging with too little support, navigating complex health and social systems largely on their own.
That experience led Erin to found a company focused on helping older adults age successfully. Along the way, one truth became impossible to ignore—access to quality food has a profound impact on health, longevity, and quality of life.
Her growing interest in food systems and health led her to become certified in Regenerative Soil Advocacy. When Erin returned to Tulsa during the pandemic, supply chain disruptions exposed deep-rooted food access challenges already affecting the city, particularly for residents managing chronic conditions. Poor nutrition was directly tied to poor health outcomes and higher mortality rates.
To address this gap, Erin co-founded FreshRx Oklahoma, a prescription produce program that connects healthcare providers with fresh, locally grown food. The program’s success has shown measurable improvements in chronic conditions like diabetes while also reducing healthcare costs.
Additionally, these programs create new and growing opportunities for local farms and food businesses, opening doors to consistent demand, institutional purchasing, and stronger connections between producers and community health systems.
Food as Medicine Keynote
Today, Erin travels nationally and internationally sharing what’s possible when food is treated as medicine. Her Farm to Fork keynote, Building Healthy Futures with Food as Medicine, will explore how regenerative farming practices increase nutrient density, why local food systems matter for public health, and how food prescription programs can be integrated into public and private insurance systems.
The Farm to Fork Summit
Make plans to attend the Farm to Fork Summit on March 6 in Nevada, Missouri, where you’ll hear Erin’s message in person—a message that is both practical and hopeful: when we invest in good food, we invest in healthier people, stronger farms, and more resilient communities.
Along with Erin, Farm to Fork features a strong lineup of speakers offering a wealth of information and inspiration you can take back to your farm or food business, including sessions on:
· Building and expanding direct-to-consumer sales
· Diversifying operations with sheep and goats
· Regenerative agriculture farm design
· Navigating USDA programs
· Understanding cottage food laws in Missouri and Kansas
· Going wholesale with regenerative agriculture products
· Using on-farm events and agritourism to reach new customers
· Strengthening food access through food hubs and farm stops
Exhibitors at Farm to Fork will also share valuable programs, services, and products that support food and farm businesses.
For tickets and full event details, visit NewGrowthMO.org/FarmToFork.
