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Veggie Rx: Fresh Nutritious Prescription to Jumpstart Community Health

“Let food be thy medicine.” ©udra/istock
“Let food be thy medicine.” ©udra/istock

Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician who is often called the father of Western medicine, is credited with saying, “Let food be thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food.”


His words are taking on new meaning with the fast-growing “food is medicine” movement. Today, countless low-income individuals and families receive “prescriptions” for fresh produce, which can be picked up at farms or urban programs.


“Food deserts,” or communities where residents do not have access to fresh, nutritious, affordable food items, have been around for decades. Instead of local grocery stores, these low-income communities have convenience stores, fast-food establishments, and take-out restaurants. This leads to an abundance of ultra processed foods, canned goods, packaged goods, and high-calorie snacks and treats.


An urban convenience store.  ©pexels
An urban convenience store. ©pexels

Even people who do not live in food deserts may have trouble getting fresh fruits and vegetables due to a lack of funds and limited access to transportation.


This is a widespread problem. According to the US Department of Agriculture, “an estimated 18.8 million people, or 6.1 percent of the U.S. population, live in low-income and low access tracts.” Low access means urban dwellers live more than a half-mile from the nearest supermarket or, in rural areas, they live more than 10 miles away.


Lack of access to nutritious fruits and vegetables can lead to higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease in these areas. And the benefits of consuming more fruits and vegetables are well documented. A diet high in these foods is associated with reduced risks of cardiovascular diseases, certain cancers, obesity, and other metabolic conditions.

USDA. Public Domain. Wikimedia
USDA. Public Domain. Wikimedia

An Idea That’s Transforming Healthcare

One of the more innovative approaches gaining momentum is to address these chronic health issues through diet rather than solely relying on conventional pharmaceuticals. “Veggie Rx” is an idea that is transforming healthcare by prescribing fresh fruits and vegetables to those who need them. By targeting underserved populations, including low-income and food-insecure families, these programs using the Veggie Rx model tackle both health disparities and food access issues head-on.


“Veggie Rx” is an idea that is transforming healthcare by prescribing fresh fruits and vegetables to those who need them.

There are Veggie Rx programs across the United States that work to boost the health of those who need a little extra help. Some of these programs include Fresh Approach in California, Wholesome Wave Veggie Rx, Rush University’s Food is Medicine Program, VeggieRx in Chicago, and Southside Community Land Trust's Veggie Rx. Here is how these programs work, and the impact they are making on their communities.


How Veggie Rx Programs Work

The concept behind Veggie Rx is straightforward: rather than just prescribing medications, Veggie Rx programs aim to improve participants' overall health by increasing their intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. Through dietary changes, individuals can better manage chronic illnesses, improve their nutritional status, and potentially reduce healthcare costs in the long run. Typically, participants don’t have to pay for the produce they receive through these vouchers.


A typical community-supported agriculture weekly share.  © Wikimedia
A typical community-supported agriculture weekly share. © Wikimedia

Healthcare providers, such as doctors or dietitians, can offer vouchers instead of traditional medical prescriptions. These vouchers allow participants, who are sometimes called “patients,” to purchase produce at participating farmers' markets, grocery stores, or community-supported agriculture programs.

 

However, these programs go beyond food products. Many Veggie Rx initiatives offer educational resources like cooking classes, nutrition counseling, and support groups, helping participants incorporate healthy food into their daily lives.


What's Included in a Package

Through the VeggieRx program in Chicago, participants redeem prescriptions for fresh produce at the Farm on Ogden, a 20,000-square-foot urban agriculture facility on Chicago's West Side (see video). Operated by Windy City Harvest (see video), the farm includes a greenhouse, aquaponics system [see video], indoor farmer's market, kitchens, and job training programs. Participants receive a weekly box of seasonal produce, along with recipes, nutrition education, cooking lessons, and dietary counseling. Classes are offered in both English and Spanish, available in-person or online, and led by staff from the Chicago Partnership for Health Promotion. 

 

A participant survey at the Farm on Ogden found that more than 90% of participants ate more than half the fresh produce they received.


An example of their VeggieRx box or bag would have:

  • 1 bundle of kale

  • 1 bundle of collards

  • 1 bundle of beets

  • 2 cucumbers

  • 2 tomatoes

  • 2 bell peppers

  • 2 squash

  • 2 onions

 

Meanwhile, in Minnesota, education is stressed in the Veggie Rx program.


“Patients don’t just pick up produce and head on their way,” said Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Farm Education Manager and Veggie Rx collaborator Tim Wilson in a news report from the University of Minnesota Extension. “They have the opportunity to interact with the health care team and food growers, plus Extension educators who are experts in financial planning, parenting, nutrition, exercise, and more.”


“Patients don’t just pick up produce. …They have the opportunity to interact with the health care team and food growers, plus [University of Minnesota] Extension educators who are experts in financial planning, parenting, nutrition, exercise, and more.”

Another example is the Food Is Medicine (FIM) program run by Rush University Medical Center’s Office of Community Health Equity and Engagement. The Chicago-area program offers prescriptions to people identified as having food insecurity, with Forty Acres Fresh Market serving as produce partner for Rush’s FIM program. The participant exchanges the prescription for food packets at the medical center’s Veggie Rx pantry. Families can also get healthy foods delivered to their homes through the program. 


Collaborative Efforts Behind these Programs

Veggie Rx programs thrive on strong partnerships between healthcare providers, local governments, non-profits, and food producers. These collaborations are crucial, ensuring that fresh produce is readily available and that participants have the support they need to maintain these healthier habits.


For instance, Wholesome Wave’s Veggie Rx program partners with healthcare providers across the US to distribute produce vouchers to low-income participants, while Farm Fresh Rhode Island offers a similar service through local farmers' markets. Chicago’s VeggieRx is a collaboration between the Lawndale Christian Health Center, the Farm on Ogden, the Chicago Botanic Garden, and the University of Illinois’s Chicago Partnership for Health Promotion. 


Chicago Botanic Garden is one of Chicago Veggie Rx’s partners.  ©Shutterstock
Chicago Botanic Garden is one of Chicago Veggie Rx’s partners. ©Shutterstock

Impact on Communities

Research has shown that Veggie Rx programs lead to better dietary habits and improved chronic disease management. These programs not only improve public health but also bolster local economies by creating sustainable connections between health and agriculture.


Thanks to the VeggieRx program in Chicago, 18,895 produce boxes were distributed in 2023, and 31% of participants reported a decrease in food insecurity. As of June 30, 2024, Waterfall’s Veggie Rx program in Oregon (see video) has distributed more than 22,500 "individual distributions of produce" to more than 5,500 members of the community.


Thanks to the VeggieRx program in Chicago, 18,895 produce boxes were distributed in 2023, and 31% of participants reported a decrease in food insecurity.

A meta-analysis study published in 2021, examining the impact of food prescription programs on dietary behaviors in review of 13 studies, found a 21.9% increase in fruit and vegetable consumption. It also found a decrease in Body Mass Index (BMI) and blood sugar levels among program participants.


A 2020 study of the Navajo Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program from 2015 to 2018 found that fruit and vegetable consumption significantly increased during the programs, and the number of participant households reporting food insecurity decreased from 82% to 65%. Furthermore, 38% of the overweight children (up to 6 years old) achieved a healthy BMI by the end of the program.


How to Get Involved in Veggie Rx

Veggie Rx programs are funded by various sources, including federal grants, local governments, and non-profit organizations. Those interested in supporting these initiatives can also get involved by volunteering with local organizations or donating to non-profits that fund these valuable programs.


To take advantage of Veggie Rx services, individuals should inquire at their local healthcare provider or community health center about available programs; helpful information regarding local Veggie Rx programs may also be found on the internet. There are programs across the entire US.


The success of Veggie RX programs depends on continued support from policymakers, healthcare providers, and community organizations. Sustainable funding is necessary to expand these programs and ensure they reach the populations that need them the most.


Moreover, public policy can further promote the adoption of these programs by integrating food prescriptions into broader healthcare and social service frameworks. In the US, for instance, Veggie RX programs have been included in some Medicaid and Medicare programs, as well as community health initiatives. These policy efforts reflect the growing recognition of the role that nutrition plays in public health.


As awareness of the connection between food and health grows, Veggie Rx programs continue to offer a practical, community-driven solution to improve public health and support local agriculture. By providing fresh produce as a prescription, Veggie Rx programs empower people to take control of their health through better nutrition, while also addressing food insecurity and health disparities.


Eat veggie ©pexels
©pexels
 

*Alina Bradford is a safety and security expert who has contributed to CBS, MTV, USA Today, Reader’s Digest, and more. She is currently the editorial lead at SafeWise.com.

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