VeggieRx, a program that forged partnerships with Central Oregon health care providers to offer fresh locally grown vegetables and fruits to their patients experiencing hunger or food insecurity, starts again on June 10th in Bend, June 25th in Prineville, and July 7th in Redmond.
Since its pilot in 2018, participants of VeggieRx ate more vegetables and fruits during and after the program. Experienced food insecurity was reduced following the program. Participants felt more confident in their personal ability to stretch meals using fresh food and shop for produce on a budget. Over $27,000 has been spent on produce from local farms via VeggieRx.
This season, HDFFA is offering a VeggieRx drive through to enrolled participants in order to reduce in-person contact for participants, staff, and market vendors. Kits filled with locally grown produce and paired recipes will be dispersed to participants.
HDFFA encourages community members that are experiencing food insecurity to apply by going to hdffa.org/veggierx or texting ‘veggie’ to 797979. Healthcare providers can refer to VeggieRx by going to hdffa.org/veggierx and clicking “for medical professionals” or emailing hannah@hdffa.org for more information. Want to get involved? Volunteer with us. https://hdffa.org/get-involved/
