SULLIVAN AND ORANGE COUNTIES, N.Y. — There’s another great way to get fresh produce, especially if money’s tight: Garnet Health and Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County have launched the FreshRx Produce Prescription Program, available to eligible community members in Sullivan and Orange Counties.
The program aims to educate local residents on how to increase consumption of agricultural products and make effective lifestyle changes that lead to improved health.
In Sullivan County, 11.5 percent of the population lives with food insecurity — not having enough food or not knowing where their next meal is coming from. In Orange County, the figure is 9.8 percent.
Additionally, 34 percent of Sullivan County adults are obese and 28 percent self-report that they do not participate in physical activity. In Orange County, 29 percent of adults are obese and 30 percent of adults age 20 and older self-report that they do not have time for physical activity.
Eligible recipients will receive a $20 meal voucher to redeem for fresh fruits and vegetables at various local participating farmers markets in Orange and Sullivan counties.
To receive a produce voucher, eligible participants must:
Participating in or being eligible for SNAP and Medicaid.
I live in Sullivan or Orange County.
Participate in (or complete) either Garnet Health’s Diabetes Prevention Program or an approved nutrition or physical activity class offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County.
The goals of the FreshRx Produce Formulary Program are to:
·Improve health outcomes in Sullivan and Orange Counties by increasing consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.
· Reduce individual and household food insecurity.
· Reduce healthcare utilization and associated costs.
“Access to food plays a critical role in living a healthy lifestyle, but people who experience food insecurity are often forced to choose between food and other necessities,” said Moira Mencher, director of planning and community relations for Garnet Health. “With this program, we’re removing barriers and making it easier for people in our community to access healthy foods like fruits and vegetables from local farmers, while also helping to reduce food waste.” [participants] How to maintain healthy habits
The FreshRx Produce Formulary Program is made possible by the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP). Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, GusNIP provides grants on a competitive basis to projects that increase the availability and affordability of fresh fruits and vegetables for low-income consumers.
For more information about the FreshRx program or available classes, visit sullivancce.org/food-nutrition/rx-program .
If you have prediabetes and would like to learn more, visit Garnet Health’s Diabetes Prevention Program at www.garnethealth.org/diabetesprevention.
Keywords Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County, Garnet Health, FreshRx Produce Prescription Program, food insecurity
