Doctors And Farmers Team Up In Texas To Give Patients Prescription Veggies
Thanks to a partnership between World Hunger Relief Inc and Family Health Center, doctors in Texas are now looking to supply patients with prescription vegetables to try and offer a preventative measure to many illnesses which are allegedly rooted in a poor diet.
The project is being funded via a grant from the Episcopal Health Foundation. And through their new prescription program, they say that they have been able to eliminate the barriers for many when it comes to having access to fresh vegetables.
The plan is for patients to receive boxes of fresh vegetables for about 10 weeks and patients at various clinics will be able to have their prescriptions for their vegetable recommendations filled after they visit the doctor, right in the lobby of the healthcare facility.
Intention for the program is to try and address the root problems surrounding food insecurity. There are still many people living in low income areas around the U.S. who get much of their food from convenience stores and dollar stores etc, a number of them don't have access to healthy and fresh options in the way of fruits or vegetables.
Other programs similar to this one, are those like the VegRx program or the FVRx program (Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program).
There are various initiatives going on around the country that are similar to this project.
They aren't only giving food either, aside from giving out fresh vegetables and other produce, they're also looking to offer things like cooking demonstrations and other classes in order to help people transition to eating differently.
The FVRx program alone is said to be operational in 10 states already and serving roughly 8,000 different people. And for those who are a part of the program, roughly 91 percent have said that they feel happier with their health and weight now after receiving the food and being able to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into their diet.
A number of food banks have also been working along with health clinics in order to try and help the people get the vegetables and fruits that they want and need. In the last few years, a growing number of food banks have started to ask for donations that are healthier, encouraging donations of more vegetable options and less of processed foods and candy etc.
Pics:
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Giphy - Parks and Recreation via NBC
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All material on this post is provided for information purposes only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction, diagnosis, or treatment. If an individual has a medical concern, no action or inaction should be taken based on the information provided in this post. He or she should always consult with their own appropriately-licensed physician or other health care specialist.
Sources:
http://www.wacotrib.com/news/health/local-groups-join-for-prescription-vegetable-program/article_376da277-c23e-56be-b163-31d0bbf8b0f2.html
http://www.worldhungerrelief.org/about/#sustainable-practices
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-access-healthy-idUSTRE50K5NW20090121
http://mashable.com/2015/12/08/supermarkets-food-deserts/#_0AGKozS5Sq5
http://myjournalcourier.com/features/food/110085/some-waco-families-get-prescription-vegetables-for-health
http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/Health/2017/05/30/Some-Waco-families-get-prescription-vegetables-for-health.html
http://www.courier-journal.com/story/entertainment/dining/2016/08/12/doctors-prescribes-veggies-new-vegrx-program/88627600/
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/why-some-doctors-are-prescribing-veggies.html
https://studentedge.org/article/four-in-five-aussies-not-eating-enough-fruit-and-veg
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“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”― Hippocrates. This is so cool! Food is truly one of the best medicines out there. A healthy diet has enabled my hubby to go off his sick-making weekly injections to control Multiple sclerosis. He has been flare-up free for many years and no more meds for 3 years and he feels great! No issues whatsoever! Upvoted and resteemed!
Fabulous topic,
Funny that doctors are coming out and saying hey lot at veges they grow in the ground they help cure things but we are gonna charge you for it!
It is a great way to raise awareness.
People need to know about this topic. I am really so thankfully to you for this poest @doitvoluntarily
Access to fresh vegetables from farms is a great way to prevent illnesses. Most often, it has to do with the bad food that people eat that majorly causes health problems when they get old.
I feel like there might be a cheaper way to get vegetables than by seeing your doctor and getting a prescription.
I agree with that
I think it is called "growing". Growing vegetables. Its something like growing fat and growing up.
I read a tweet about it once.
@doitvoluntarily
We know that a whole host of people die from hunger and others are dying not because they don't have enough food, but rather baceuee they aren't eating the right kind.
This is an encouraging article because nutrition is so important to good health. Thanks for sharing!
Upvoted!
This is an excellent post! What a great community initiative to make people healthy. There's nothing better than veggies and fruits. My favorites are apples, carrots, broccoli and grapes. What are yours @doitvolunarily?
So good! Awareness is huge and if this helps create it that's a great thing. At the end of the day all that really matters is health. Thanks for this!
This is a wonderful initiative as it will help people live on healthier diets considering the fact that veggies are really good.
Informative post. Thanks