VeggieRx
VeggieRx
VeggieRx is a FREE fresh produce prescription program that helps improve healthy eating habits for individuals experiencing food insecurity and diagnosed with diet-modifiable disease(s). Participants receive ten weeks of fresh locally grown vegetables/fruits, nutrition education, and one-on-one support from HDFFA’s Registered Dietitian.
Participants enrolled in our program eat more vegetables/fruits and experience less food insecurity. Participants are provided tools to shop for produce on a budget, use fresh ingredients, and stretch their meals to last longer. True to our mission of supporting local, all the produce is purchased or provided from regional farmers. Since the program began in 2018, we have invested $134,899 in fresh food from local farmers, with a total impact of $191,855 on the local economy.
Eligibility for enrollment:
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18 years of age or older
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Experiencing food insecurity
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Commit to 10 weeks
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Diet-related disease (hypertension, diabetes or high blood sugar, overweight / obese, anxiety or depression disorder, high blood pressure, hypertension, heart conditions, chronic lung disease, asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, arthritis and/or rheumatism)
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Receive a referral from a health care provider (Dietitian, Physician, Nurse Practitioner etc.)
Where is the VeggieRx located?
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In 2024, the program is offered in Bend, Warm Springs, and Madras. Each location has a different delivery model: a) Bend Farmer’s Market shopping, and b) a CSA produce share delivery in Madras, and c) a CSA share pick up in Warm Springs. In Warm Springs we are partnering with the Warm Springs Family Resource Center, which is hosting the site for local participants to pick up their produce boxes.
Frequently Asked Questions (click the (+) to expand and read)
What type of commitment do I need to make?
- Be eligible for the program
- Participate in a pre- and post-survey
- Be able to pick up the produce for ten weeks
When does the program begin?
Depending on which group you are in, Cohort A will begin Mid-May and Cohort B will begin Mid-August
How long will my benefits last?
Each participant gets 10 consecutive weeks of either a Food Share (otherwise known as a Community Support Agriculture, CSA) box or Farmer’s Market tokens
Why are there different groups or types of delivery models?
This year VeggieRx will have three different delivery models – shopping style at the Bend Farmers Market and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) delivery or pick up depending on location. Those that are in the Farmers Market model will be shopping with tokens and will have in-person check-ins with a Registered Dietitian. The CSA group will have phone check-ins for the ten weeks.
Can you tell me more about the Warm Springs model?
We have partnered with the Warm Springs Community Center in response to hearing from multiple community leaders that not only is this a welcoming venue, but it provides the opportunity to create more of an event than just picking up a CSA box. The Warm Springs Community Center has a community garden, centrally located, and is free of charge to community members who want to use their space.
Why are you only working with two farmers and how did you choose them?
Around the Bend Farms and Four Acre Farm has made this a priority to provide a fair and equity service to our community and are passionate about breaking down food access barriers. They are willing to work with HDFFA to provide nutrition education materials in their CSA boxes, have sufficient quality and quantity of food to provide to all of our participants, and as part of their mission, want to make food accessible to everyone. This makes them a great fit for this particular program! Around the Bend Farms will be providing the CSA boxes to the Warm Springs community this season and Four Acre Farm will be providing CSA boxes to the Madras community.
How will I know which VeggieRx group I will be placed in?
After enrollment, you will be notified which group you will be placed in and the dates and time for shopping or pick up.
What days and times do participants pick up their food?
Bend Farmer’s Market group
Shopping hours will be Wednesdays from 11:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Madras CSA group
Delivery hours will be TBD by Four Acres Farm
Warm Springs CSA group
Pick up hours will be TBD at the Warm Springs Community Center
What do I do if I cannot make the pickup time?
Contact program Senior Manager Kelly @ 541-310-3111 or by email at kelly@hdffa.org for accommodations.
What if I cannot afford gas to get to the pickup site?
Contact program Senior Manager Kelly @ 541-310-3111 or by email at kelly@hdffa.org for accommodations.
What types of produce will I get?
Fresh vegetables and fruit, this varies depending on what the farm is harvesting during the week of pick up. All produce is fresh and grown locally.
Will my income or tax information be needed and/or recorded?
No, it will not.
Contact
Kelly Moffatt
VeggieRx Senior Manager
kelly@hdffa.org
541-310-3111 (text capable)
PROVIDERS – Contact us if you are interested in referring, want us to come to your clinic, or would like a referral prescription pad.
PARTICIPANTS– Contact us if you are interested in and are eligible for the program.
“Being on an extreme budget for food, I have never had an opportunity to try alternative healthy eating. Being taught how to sub out unhealthy for healthy has made a huge difference and learning how to store healthy foods to keep longer helps prevent me from buying cheap processed foods that aren’t healthy at all.”
– Former VeggieRx Participant
“[VeggieRx] gave me new heart healthy ideas. My family and I tried every recipe each week. All the fruit and veggies were always fresh. I even have gone to some of the vendors’ stores since.”
– Former VeggieRx Participant
Other Programs & Resources
Gorge Grown Produce Prescription Program
La Pine Community Health Center, Veggie Prescription Program
The Oregon Community Food Systems Network
Mind The Meal Gap
