Headline
This field scan of the Produce Prescription field highlights current trends and key opportunities for future growth.
Background
There is growing interest in produce prescription programs among many health care stakeholders, as these programs are part of the larger Food is Medicine movement that aims to prevent and treat chronic disease through consumption of healthy foods. However, little is understood about the scale and scope of the existing produce prescription programs. This report provided a snapshot of produce prescription program in the U.S. that are partnered with or embedded within a health care organization (e.g., a hospital, clinic, rural community health center) from 2010 to 2020 and highlights key insights and growth opportunities for the field.
Findings
The report:
- Explores the history of produce prescription programs, the larger Food is Medicine movement, and purpose od the field scan;
- Outlines the scope of the field scan and the sources used to identify active produce prescription programs in the U.S.;
- Summarizes the geographic distribution, redemption methods, eligibility, participation barriers, funding, education, and other components of the produce prescription programs identified from the scan; and
- Presents an analysis of programs that have ceased operations and recommendations to sustain and expand the field.
The report also includes insights from interviews with select programs and a list of sources used to inform the research, analysis, and recommendations.
Policy/Program Takeaways
Community-based organizations, payers, and policymakers can use the findings and recommendations in this report to support existing produce prescription programs or establish new ones in their communities.