IHRTF Rx for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Improving health through better nutrition
Food is Medicine
Food is medicine, and research demonstrates that regular intake of fresh produce helps to improve the health of individuals with prediabetes and diabetes.
Through partnerships with healthcare clinics, community organizations, insurance companies, and retailers, the IHRTF Rx for Fresh Fruits & Vegetables program (RxFFV) puts research into action.
The RxFFV assists food-insecure individuals with prediabetes and diabetes manage their health by increasing their access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
Proven Successful
An external evaluation conducted in 2019-2020 by the Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition concluded that the IHRTF RxFFV program was a success. The program produced:
Positive changes in health outcomes, such as lower HbA1c levels
Enhanced healthy eating habits that increased intakes of fruits and vegetables
Increased intakes of new fruits and vegetables
Higher levels of confidence in newfound healthy habits
Improved general health and wellness
Benefits to the Economy
Studies show that Produce Prescription Programs (PRx) help reduce healthcare costs and stimulate the economy. Improvements in health outcomes via participation in PRx and other Food is Medicine initiatives reduce healthcare usage and costs. The most compelling evidence is the reduction of healthcare costs among patients with type 2 diabetes who participate in Produce Prescription Programs.
Produce Prescription Programs promote job creation and economic growth in the state’s agricultural sector. These programs help nurture small-scale regional farms and increase access to local produce for all Idahoans.
Honed Program Design
Step 1: Partnership. The process starts with a collaboration between a community partner and the Task Force.
Step 2: Enrollment. Eligible participants are referred by a healthcare provider to the RxFFV program and enrolled for 6 months. The RxFFV program allows households to shop for fresh produce at local vendors using electronic voucher debit cards (Fresh Connect) at no cost to the families.
Step 3: Nutrition Education. Registered dietitians and community health workers work closely with program participants to create tailored nutrition education goals.
Step 4: Community Resources. Community health workers, in partnership with the IHRTF team, connect participants with community resources that can help address food insecurity beyond the length of the program.
Step 5: Shared Reporting. To help demonstrate the value of the program, both community partners and IHRTF share blinded data about the RxFFV program.
Looking for Partners
Interested in starting an RxFFV program? The IHRTF is continually recruiting new community partners. Please fill out the Interest Form and we’ll get in touch with you about initiating an RxFFV program.
Participant Testimonials
“It was a blessing to have your program. We were able to eat fruits and vegetables that we were normally not able to have.”
Rx for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Participant, Magic Valley
“Your program helped our family so much. I have lost a lot of weight on the program and my A1c level has improved.”
Rx for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Participant, Magic Valley
“Because of the access this program provides to nutritious food, we’ve been able to improve our health on our own.”
Rx for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Participant, Boise