Ahead of RFK Jr. Visit to Northeast Ohio, Rep. Sykes Highlights Bipartisan Efforts to Improve Nutrition and Lower Health Costs

Ahead of RFK Jr. Visit to Northeast Ohio, Rep. Sykes Highlights Bipartisan Efforts to Improve Nutrition and Lower Health Costs

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Ahead of a planned visit to Northeast Ohio by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) is highlighting her bipartisan work to expand access to healthy foods, lower costs, and address the root causes of chronic disease for Ohio families.

"Making America healthy starts with making sure families can actually afford and access nutritious food," said Rep. Sykes. "That's why I've worked across the aisle to expand access to healthy meals, support local farmers, and tackle the root causes of chronic disease. While some are focused on rhetoric, I'm focused on results - lowering grocery costs, protecting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and investing in proven programs that prevent illness before it starts. Efforts to cut food assistance or ignore the role nutrition plays in health will only make families sicker and drive up costs. If we're serious about improving health in this country, we need real solutions that meet people where they are, and that's exactly what I'm doing for Northeast Ohio."

This includes ensuring families can afford and access fresh, nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables, rather than solely relying on cheaper, highly processed options that often dominate grocery shelves and contribute to long-term health challenges.

Rep. Sykes has advanced practical, evidence-based solutions to improve health outcomes and lower costs. Her bipartisan Food Farmacy Act would expand access to healthy foods and nutritional guidance, helping prevent and manage chronic conditions. While serving in the Ohio State House of Representatives, Rep. Sykes secured state funding for the creation of a pilot program to establish food farmacies in Summit County, Ohio. The $1 million grant supported the creation of three food farmacies at Akron Children's Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Akron General, and Summa Health System with the support of Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank. In 2024 alone, the Akron Children's Hospital Food Farmacy provided more than 130,000 meals to more than 21,000 individuals.

She is also a co-sponsor of the Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act, which would repeal harmful SNAP cuts included in Republicans' "One Big Beautiful Bill" and help families afford groceries. Since the Big Ugly Bill was passed, SNAP participation in Ohio has declined from 1,389,247 in July 2025 to 1,292,669 in December 2025, a loss of nearly 94,000 residents receiving assistance during a period of continued high food costs.

Rep. Sykes is also focused on strengthening food safety and transparency so families know what is in the food they are buying and can trust that it meets strong, consistent public health standards.

During consideration of the Farm Bill, Rep. Sykes introduced amendments incorporating her Food Farmacy Act, INFANTS Act, Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act, and Feed Our Families Act to expand access to safe, affordable food, but House Republicans refused to allow them to be considered.

Rep. Sykes also led a bipartisan letter calling for stronger federal coordination to address the link between diet and chronic disease.

Rep. Sykes remains focused on delivering results for Northeast Ohio families by lowering costs, improving access to nutrition and care, and advancing bipartisan solutions to build healthier communities.