Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Eating for Your Health Launch ‘Food as Medicine’ Program

Eating for Your Health (EFYH), formerly The Suppers Programs, Inc., a science-informed, community-based nutrition education and culinary intervention nonprofit, today announced the integration of its programs into the Department of Family Medicine at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. The initiative is supported by the newly established Dorothy Mullen Eating for Your Health Endowment in honor of EFYH’s late founder. The programs have been scheduled to begin in late September.

Rooted in the vision of founder Dorothy Mullen, who championed the idea of How You Feel is Data!®, EFYH emphasizes practical, hands-on learning—whether in a garden, a kitchen, or a classroom. Mullen’s lifelong commitment to making information about healthy cooking and eating accessible in the Princeton region continues to guide EFYH’s mission to expand its reach and impact.

The relationship with Rutgers began in 2019 when Dr. Mary Wagner, clinical pharmacist, associate professor at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, and EFYH board member, began to develop research and educational projects with EFYH. Under the guidance of Maria “Adi” Benito, MD, EFYH’s Chief Medical Advisor and a board-certified endocrinologist, and Marion Reinson, EFYH’s Executive Director, curriculum materials were developed that continue to inform workshops delivered today.

“Food is often at the heart of how we connect,” said Reinson. “In our work with Rutgers and community partners, I’ve seen how sharing a meal or cooking together can spark conversation, create community, and most importantly, inspire lasting change. This new partnership gives us the chance to expand that impact—helping patients, future healthcare providers, and entire communities discover food as a pathway to health and healing.”

“We are honoring Dorothy’s vision and building the legacy she would be proud of,” said Fiona Capstick, Board President of Eating for Your Health. “Dorothy was relentless in her quest to spread the word about food as medicine, and everyone touched by our programs—participants, board members, and community partners—remembers her profound belief in the vital role of food in health. I am grateful to be able to continue our work at Rutgers.”

The initiative was made possible through the vision of Novneet Sahu, MD. Earlier this year, while serving as Interim Chair of the Family Medicine Department at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Dr. Sahu helped guide the initial discussions on how integration could take place. His leadership laid the foundation for the collaboration that continues today.

“Dr. Sahu's guidance and foresight have been instrumental in bringing this work to life," said Dr. Pooja Padgaonkar, Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine, who has been helping to move this work forward. “The Eating for Your Health programs show how food can be both nourishing and enjoyable. By adding this as an initiative within the Department of Family Medicine and offering the EFYH programs to the communities we serve, we hope to equip patients, students, providers, and the broader community with practical tools they can use immediately and empower people to take charge of their well-being.”

In Fall 2025, EFYH will present sessions for Rutgers health students including More Than Calories: How You Feel is Data!, Falling for Flavor – Cooking with the Fall Harvest and Carving the Carbs out of Thanksgiving. As part of this new chapter, EFYH will operate within the Family Medicine Department, adding a new dimension to the department’s existing initiatives while preserving its whole food approach to nutrition education. The integration will allow EFYH to have greater reach, remain informed by the latest research, and continue delivering practical programming that celebrates healthy food that tastes delicious.

For more information, visit www.eatingforyourhealth.org.

About the New Jersey Family Medicine Department at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

The mission of the Department of Family Medicine is "to teach and model the principles of Family Medicine to students, residents and other physicians. We are dedicated to excellence in clinical care, research and advocacy; serving the greater Newark community and expanding the quality of
primary care through education and collaboration with our students, patients
and colleagues.

About Eating for Your Health

Eating For Your Health provides practical, non-judgmental health and nutrition education. Our programs are interactive, hands-on, relevant, and realistic, provided in a supportive environment leading to long-term behavior change and improved well-being.