Rx for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Please click the “Interest Form” and fill out the form if you are interested in initiating an RxFFV program.

Program Design

  • Step 1 - Partnership: The process starts with a collaboration between a community partner and the Task Force.

  • Step 2 - Enrollment: Eligible participants are referred by a healthcare provider to the RxFFV program and enrolled for 6 months. The RxFFV program allows households to shop for fresh produce at local vendors using electronic voucher debit cards (Fresh Connect) at no cost to the families.

  • Step 3 - Nutrition Education: Registered Dietitians and Community Health Workers work closely with program participants to create tailored nutrition education goals.

  • Step 4 - Community Resources: Community Health Workers, in partnership with the IHRTF team, connect participants with community resources that can help address food insecurity beyond the length of the program.

  • Step 5 - Shared Reporting: To help demonstrate the value of the program, both community partners and IHRTF share blinded data about the RxFFV program through a pre- and post- program survey and certain health markers (HbA1c, Blood Pressure, Weight).

Participant Testimonials

 
 

“It was a blessing to have your program. We were able to eat fruits and vegetables that we were normally not able to have.”

- Rx for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Participant, Magic Valley

“Your program helped our family so much. I have lost a lot of weight on the program and my A1c level has improved.”

- Rx for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Participant, Magic Valley

“Because of the access this program provides to nutritious food, we’ve been able to improve our health on our own.”

- Rx for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Participant, Boise

We are gathering names of healthcare organizations that are interested in starting a Produce Prescription Program (RxFFV). The IHRTF is dedicated to helping start and build sustainable RxFFV programs, by working with Idaho healthcare organizations.

Benefits to the Economy

Studies show that Produce Prescription Programs (PRx) help reduce healthcare costs and stimulate the economy. Improvements in health outcomes via participation in PRx and other Food is Medicine initiatives reduce healthcare usage and costs. The most compelling evidence is the reduction of healthcare costs among patients with type 2 diabetes who participate in Produce Prescription Programs.

Produce Prescription Programs promote job creation and economic growth in the state’s agricultural sector. These programs help nurture small-scale regional farms and increase access to local produce for all Idahoans.