News Release
WARSAW — Eating nutritious food is essential to health. The vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in fresh foods provide the fuel for a person’s body and mind. Unfortunately, people who lack consistent access to fresh foods are at a disadvantage and their health can suffer.
That’s where VeggieRx comes in.
VeggieRx is a produce prescription program that aims to help people with food insecurity, or who have chronic diseases such as diabetes, include more fresh fruits and vegetables in their diet. Parkview Health is now offering this program to up to 40 Kosciusko County residents who qualify.
VeggieRx helps increase fruit and vegetable consumption to improve health outcomes and reduce food insecurity in underserved populations. Over a six-month period, participants receive $50 per month to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition, they attend four registered-dietitian-led classes, where they learn the benefits of eating more produce and how to prepare it through demonstrations, tastings and hands-on experiences.
“The use of produce prescription programs has become a best practice in communities across the country,” said Michelle Bojrab-Wray, registered dietitian nutritionist, lead community outreach dietitian and project director for VeggieRx, Parkview Health. “Research has shown that a combination of healthy lifestyle and well-balanced diet could prevent as much as 80% of chronic disease. Programs like VeggieRx have been shown to improve healthcare outcomes because they educate, empower and equip people to lead healthier lives, reducing or avoiding the burden of chronic disease.”
VeggieRx requires a referral from a health care provider. The program is free to participants.
Parkview partners with local farmers markets and other food vendors so participants have multiple ways to purchase a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables with their monthly stipend. In Kosciusko County, participants receive a special debit card that can be used at Kroger, Walmart, Denney Farmstand, Hawley Farmstand, Creation Celebration and other locations. The card is provided during the first nutrition education class.
Parkview piloted VeggieRx with 30 people in Allen County in 2019. In 2021, Parkview received a $466,373 Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and VeggieRx grew to serve 121 participants with plans to expand further. The following year, a second Gus Schumacher grant of $499,977 continued the support for VeggieRx, which has demonstrated success for hundreds of people, impacting the lives of 174 in 2022 and 305 in 2023.
Past VeggieRx participants have seen measurably improved clinical outcomes, including lower A1C levels and blood pressure, weight loss and other overall health improvements. They’ve also become familiar with preparing fresh produce and have increased their knowledge of local food systems and resources.
In 2023, an Indiana Department of Health produce prescription planning grant supplied support for expansion of the program in rural counties, including Kosciusko County. The program is also being launched in LaGrange and Huntington counties this year.
“It’s been so exciting to see how VeggieRx has impacted the health and well-being of our Allen County participants, and we’re excited to offer the program in additional counties,” said Dr. Sarah Giaquinta, senior vice president, Community Health and Equity, Parkview Health. “The program offers benefits that reach well beyond the health improvements seen in participants. Everyone who contributes to the program is enthusiastic about its impact, from the providers who prescribe VeggieRx and see their patients becoming more proactive about their health, to the dietitians who help patients learn new ways to prepare delicious, nourishing meals, to the farmers who are proud that the produce they grow is now more accessible to those who need it most in our communities.”
Qualifying For VeggieRx
Any health care provider (not just Parkview providers) can refer qualifying patients. Referral forms are available by emailing [email protected]. Any person who believes they qualify for the program should contact their provider to ask about a potential referral.
To be eligible, an individual must meet certain health and financial requirements. They must have diabetes or pre-diabetes, heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure) or obesity, or have a high-risk pregnancy. In addition, the person must be receiving Medicaid, be dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare, be uninsured, or screen positive for food insecurity.
Enrollment is taking place now, and referrals will be accepted until June 11. The first of four nutrition education classes will take place Tuesday, June 11. Participants may attend at either 9 a.m. or 5 p.m. in the Martin’s Supermarket School of Cooking, second floor, 1150 Husky Trail, Warsaw.
The remaining classes will take place at the same location with future dates and times to be announced.
For additional information, call (260) 266-9667 or contact Molly Tritch at [email protected]. General program information is available at parkview.com/VeggieRx.
