Image above: Produce Rx Cooking Classes at Adelante Mujeres
What is Veggie Rx?
Veggie Rx is a produce prescription program used as a medical treatment or preventative service for patients:
Patients are eligible due to a diet-related health risk or condition, food insecurity, or other documented challenges accessing nutritious foods, and are referred by a health care provider or health insurance plan.
These prescriptions are fulfilled through food retail and enable patients to access healthy produce* with no added fats, sugars, or sale at low or no cost to the patient.
When appropriately dosed, Veggie Rx programs are designed to improve healthcare outcomes, optimize medical spend, and increase patient engagement and satisfaction.
(*As defined under section 10010 of the Agricultural Act of 2014, Public Law 113-79. These concerns include but are not limited to obesity, diabetes, and food insecurity. Some programs also offer nutrition counseling, cooking education, and promote physical activity alongside increased access to fresh and healthy food.)
2023 Census Report
Veggie Rx Across Oregon
Going Paperless
Adelante Mujeres and Thrive Umpqua are Removing Paper Vouchers from Veggie Rx Programs with Fresh Connect
-
The structure of Veggie Rx programs can vary for a number of reasons. Here are a few reference samples to help you get started in creating a program that fits your needs.
Produce Rx Program Manual: A partnership of Adelante Mujeres & Virginia Garcia
High Desert Farm & Food Alliance's Central Oregon Pilot Project 2019 Report
-
Read Article: Missouri food bank makes a business case for food as medicine
Read Missouri’s Operation Food Search’s report on their pilot Fresh Rx program.