Background/Objectives: This study aims to fill gaps in the existing literature through a qualitative evaluation of stakeholders involved in Food Is Medicine (FIM) programs. The primary objective was to examine the structural components, implementation process, and perceived impact of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and Venice Family Clinic (VFC) Emergency Prepared Meal Program (UCLA-VFC Food Program), developed as a collaboration between a university and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) during a period of community crisis. A secondary objective was to compare this program with three other FIM initiatives, identifying convergences and divergences in design and effectiveness. Methods: The methodology involved semi-structured interviews conducted with stakeholders across all four programs. Participants were recruited based on their direct involvement with program ideation, design, or implementation. Interviews were conducted online between July and September 2022, with 11 stakeholders. A thematic analysis was applied to the transcribed responses using an inductive thematic analysis. Results: Key findings highlighted four recurrent themes: (1) the critical role of leadership and a collaborative culture; (2) the importance of community partnerships and health education; (3) challenges related to logistics, funding, and sustainability; and (4) the need for assessment and evaluation. These findings provide valuable insight into the design of future FIM interventions, particularly those embedded in healthcare settings. Conclusions: In conclusion, this study offers preliminary evidence supporting the unique potential of university–community partnerships to address food insecurity. Unlike previous research that emphasized clinical outcomes, our findings provide a contextualized understanding of programmatic implementation. While further quantitative evaluation is necessary, this work lays the groundwork for a collaborative model between various entities including universities, healthcare systems, clinics, and community health/food services aimed at addressing social determinants of health.

Background/Objectives: Pediatric obesity is a public health epidemic in the United States and in many countries worldwide. Due to the interrelatedness of obesity and toxic stress, mindfulness is a promising practice to support healthful eating behaviors and combat stress in the management of this condition. In this pilot study we evaluated the acceptability and feasibility of implementing a brief mindfulness-based program for pediatric patients seeking treatment for overweight and obesity, with an assessment of exploratory outcomes. Methods: Nineteen children (ages 8–17 with body mass indices (BMIs) ≥ the 85th percentile) and caregiver dyads (n = 19) were recruited from a multidisciplinary pediatric weight management clinic. Four thirty-minute psychoeducational mindfulness-based sessions were provided via telehealth. Qualitative feedback was sought during and after program completion. Child and caregiver mindful eating and general mindfulness measures were collected from participant dyads at baseline, and one month and three months after program completion. Results: Qualitative program feedback from participants was generally positive. Session attendance rates were high (89%), with most participants highly engaged during sessions and the follow-up clinic visits. An analysis of exploratory measures data revealed no significant changes in child or caregiver dyad mindful eating or general mindfulness scores at one month (n = 9) or three months (n = 7) post-program completion compared to baseline (n = 10). Conclusions: This pilot, mindfulness-based program was feasible and acceptable to implement as a scalable behavioral intervention in long-term pediatric obesity treatment. Study of a larger, controlled sample is needed to determine the impact of program participation on mindful eating and general mindfulness, along with clinical obesity-related outcomes, in the management of pediatric obesity.