How our produce prescription initiative delivers vital nutrition to those suffering from chronic disease
What we put in our bodies is essential to living healthier lives.
We know that a lack of healthy food options often leads to cardiovascular issues and other chronic diseases. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control, chronic disease spending accounts for a staggering 90% of all healthcare costs. (source: https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/data-research/facts-stats/index.html)
We are working hard to change this reality by treating proper nutrition as a basic form of medicine.
How the produce prescription program operates across our counties
To expand health access, we developed VeggieRx as our signature produce prescription program. This initiative serves residents facing diet-related health challenges across Allen, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange and Wabash counties.
Through this program, our clinical providers evaluate incoming patients and issue a direct prescription for healthy foods. Qualifying participants receive $50 per month to buy fresh fruits and vegetables for six months. We combine these financial resources with education by providing four dietitian-led nutrition classes. This ensures that our neighbors gain the essential tools and knowledge to manage their health pathways.
“Proper nutrients serve as our basic human building blocks,” said Dr. Eric Shoemaker, a clinical provider partnering with the initiative. “Programs like VeggieRx help us offer something we simply cannot put inside a standard pill bottle.”
Documenting hard clinical outcomes and capturing federal support
Our program has achieved rapid growth and national validation. We launched VeggieRx back in 2021 with just over 100 participants. By 2023, we successfully scaled the program to serve 425 individuals across our region. This expansion is fully supported by over $1.1 million in federal grants from the USDA. By investing in these upstream solutions, we are helping our families access the basic building blocks of wellness.
The medical results of VeggieRx prove that our food-as-medicine philosophy works. Our clinical research teams have documented outstanding outcomes including lower A1C levels, reduced blood pressure and successful weight loss among participants. Managing nutrition directly intercepts chronic conditions before patients require expensive emergency room resources. We are proud to expand food access and build a stronger safety net for our communities.
The medical results of VeggieRx prove that our food-as-medicine philosophy works. Our clinical research teams have documented outstanding outcomes including lower A1C levels, reduced blood pressure and successful weight loss among participants. Managing nutrition directly intercepts chronic conditions before patients require expensive emergency room resources. It allows our physicians to offer a distinct path to healing that they simply cannot put inside a standard pill bottle. We are proud to expand food access and build a stronger safety net for our communities.
To learn more about program eligibility and enrollment options check out our Parkview VeggieRx website and watch the video below.
