US program prescribes fruit & veg to patients with chronic diseases
A local nonprofit in Muskegon, Michigan has developed a "prescription for health" program for the co…A local nonprofit in Muskegon, Michigan has developed a "prescription for health" program for the core neighborhoods of the city.
The Muskegon Prescribes Food for Health program was created by Community enCompass after the organization received a Community Food Projects grant from the USDA.
Muskegon Prescribes Food for Health, which includes 24 participants, will officially begin Aug. 15 and end Oct. 31.
During that time-frame, patients with chronic disease will be connected to local, fresh produce through their medical clinic. Health care providers write "prescriptions" for their patients to eat more fruits and vegetables. Patients can redeem their prescriptions at a farmers market.
The purpose of the program is to increase fruit and vegetable consumption while improving health among patients with lower incomes.
