Produce Rx makes locally-grown fruits and vegetables part of the treatment plan for patients with diabetes.
October 12, 2023 – Davis, CA – CommuniCare+OLE (formerly CommuniCare Health Centers) announced today that its patients in Yolo County with diabetes are getting locally-grown fruits and vegetables as a key part of their diabetes care as part of a produce prescription grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture – the first to be awarded in the 6-county Capitol Region. Partnerships with the Davis Farmers Market, the Center for Land-Based Learning’s Mobile Farmers Market, and Spork Food Hub enable patients to access an average of $70 worth of produce each month for 6 months.
“Access to healthy food is integral to overall health and is crucial for patients with diabetes,” said Edye Kuyper, Produce Rx Project Director. “CommuniCare OLE is excited to be expanding our Food is Medicine efforts to connect the bounty of our local farms to the community members who need it most.”
Recently released research adds to a growing body of evidence demonstrating that when doctors and medical professionals offer produce as a part of patients’ care, clinical outcomes such as Hemoglobin A1C and blood pressure improve. UC Berkeley Cooperative Extension researchers are evaluating Produce Rx to understand how the program impacts outcomes including lab results, fruit and vegetable consumption, and food insecurity.
Key program facts:
- Operations began in May 2023 and will continue with grant funding through 2025
- 112 patients are participating in the program in this initial pilot year
- Produce Rx seeks to include 570 patients with prediabetes, types I & II diabetes and gestational diabetes over its 3-year lifespan
- Participants also attend educational activities each month
According to one Produce Rx participant, “The produce helps our health and is also a financial help. I get to eat fruits and vegetables that are out of reach now that food prices are so high. I also enjoy the educational activities and learn so much from the doctors and other patients who also have diabetes.”
About the program partners
Established in 2023, CommuniCare+OLE is the result of a union of two health centers with a deep roots in their respective communities and reputations for providing high-quality primary care to all, regardless of insurance or ability to pay: OLE Health of Napa and Solano Counties and CommuniCare Health Centers of Yolo County. Building on a legacy established by both organizations in 1972, CommuniCare+OLE is a network of federally-qualified health centers with 17 sites across Napa, Solano, and Yolo Counties. It offers comprehensive care, including medical, dental, behavioral health and substance use treatment, nutrition, optometry, pharmacy, care coordination, referrals, and enrollment assistance to more than 70,000 individuals, and no one is turned away due to lack of insurance, immigration status, or ability to pay. Many services are offered outside of its sites, including mobile health, home visiting, and community and school-based programs.
The Center for Land-Based Learning’s Community Food Program connects local farms to neighborhoods with little access to fresh affordable produce. Its Mobile Farmers Market Truck has been serving West Sacramento communities since 2021 and will expand to Woodland and rural areas of Yolo County in 2024.
Spork Food Hub is a farmer-owned aggregator of local produce. Spork works with family farms growing sustainable or certified organic produce for school districts and other institutions, restaurants, and food distribution programs.
The Davis Farmers Market (DFM) is a nationwide leader in operating markets that provide food access and education while building community. Recognized as one of the best farmers markets in the United States, DFM endeavors to educate and engage the public about nutrition, sustainable agriculture, and the economic value to our area of buying local food and products directly from growers and artisans.
UC Berkeley Cooperative Extension nutrition researchers study food access and its connection with nutrition and health with a focus on disadvantaged populations in California. In partnership with communities, schools and health professionals, UC Cooperative Extension promotes healthy eating with a focus on access to fresh fruits and vegetables and reduction of diet-related chronic conditions.
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