Gorge Grown’s Veggie Rx

Address food insecurity and increase access to fresh produce. The program empowers health care and social services providers to ‘prescribe’ local produce to community members who screen positive for food insecurity. At first, vouchers were used that could be redeemed at physical and online farmers markets, but participants now recieve produce boxes. How It Works: 1. Healthcare providers screen clients for hunger 2. Clients experiencing food insecurity are enrolled in a fresh produce program 3. Local farmers supply produce for Veggie Rx participants 4. Participants continue to receive a “dose” of fruits and vegetables while enrolled in the program The Impact: Increases access to fresh produce Inspires healthier cooking and eating Supports our local farmers and economy

They collaborate/are part of the Gorge Grown Food network, that envourages and supports local food production in the area. GGFN was funded in 2016 on initiative through the Governor Kate Brown The rx program: In 2014 and 2017, 40 organizations worked together to identify the top health needs in the Columbia River Gorge region. The results revealed epidemic hunger throughout all 5 counties of the Gorge. Two discerning results showed that: 1 in 3 Gorge residents worry about running out of food 1 in 5 Gorge residents miss meals regularly Gorge Grown and partners sprung into action with Veggie Rx — a program that is quickly becoming a national model for bridging health care, non-profit and food system sectors. We believe nutritious, healthy food is a cornerstone of health. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation developed the “What Works for Health Menu” of evidence-based programs and policies. Fruit and vegetable incentive programs are listed as the highest among categories of effectiveness. It is considered “scientifically supported”. Strategies with this rating are most likely to make a difference. These strategies have been tested in many robust studies with consistently positive results.

The Gore Grown Food Network

It seems to greatly increase access to fruit and vegetables

https://gorgegrown.com/veggierx/