Prescription for Health: How Produce Can Improve Your Well-being

Programs like DC Greens' Produce RX, which provides prescriptions for healthy foods to low-income individuals with diet-related chronic illnesses, are helping improve access to nutritious food and overall health outcomes. A recent study found that participants in such programs experienced increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, as well as improvements in blood pressure, obesity, and blood sugar. By providing prepaid debit cards for purchasing fresh produce, these programs not only address affordability barriers but also alleviate financial stress for families. The approach of prescribing fresh food as medicine is proving to be more effective and appealing to patients than traditional medications.