Veggie Rx
Contact:
veggierx-admin@ocfsn.org
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, for sale at low or no cost to the patient.
When appropriately dosed, Veggie Rx programs are designed to improve healthcare outcomes, optimize medical spending, 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.)
Register here for the upcoming working group meeting on April 13th 2026 at 11 am Pacific Time.
2025 Working Group Meetings
February: Watch meeting recording
We heard from Project DASH and CSA Partnerships for Health, Frontier Veggie Rx, and more!
Cintia Vimiero, the Healthier Together Oregon Strategist from the Public Health Division of Oregon Health Authority, shared updates on Oregon’s State Health Assessment (SHA) and State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP). We also heard updates and shared resources from the HRSN Nutrition Benefits Learning Collaborative.
August: Watch meeting recording
The Policy Team at Mom's Meals shared their experience with Medicaid 1115 waiver (HRSN) nutrition rollout in different states and lessons learned from program implementations as a Nutrition Services provider and food as medicine advocacy. In Oregon, Mom's Meals is currently contracted as an HRSN Medically Tailored Meals and Nutrition Education provider.
October: Watch meeting recording
Kaila Luttrell (UC Veg) in Roseburg shared their Veggie Rx Program model and updates as they enter their third year of using the AboutFresh card for participants and referrals through UniteUs.
Machayla Fortin (AboutFresh) shared the three main components of their program and how the platform has improved over the years
Gina Zatairan (OHSU) shared the Toward Healthy Lifestyles Initiative partnership with CO-LED and community-based organizations to support innovative approaches to exercise and nutrition for OHSU IDS members.
2025 Census Report
Veggie Rx Across Oregon
Going Paperless
Adelante Mujeres and Thrive Umpqua are Removing Paper Vouchers from Veggie Rx Programs with Fresh Connect
Resources
Find more resources in the Veggie Rx Working Group Shared Drive.
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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
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This policy brief titled Calculating the Costs of Medicaid Food is Medicine (FIM) Interventions can help to evaluate FIM program impact on Medicaid capitation rates and may be especially useful for policy makers, advocates, and health plans that want to invest in Food is Medicine initiatives.
New Rockefeller Foundation Research looks at the state-level economic impact of locally sourced Food is Medicine programs. See the potential revenue for local farmers in Oregon!
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.