FreshRx Produce Prescription Program

Summer in the Hudson Valley brings so many wonderful opportunities, including one we are extremely excited for at Garnet Health: the launch of the new FreshRx Produce Prescription Program, in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County. This collaborative program, offered to qualified community members in Sullivan and Orange counties, is designed to increase produce consumption and educate community members on how to make impactful lifestyle changes that will lead to improved health.

In Sullivan County, 11.5% of the population lives with food insecurity. In Orange County, that number is 9.8%. Access to food plays a vital role in living a healthy lifestyle. But those who face food insecurity are often forced to choose between food and other essentials. With this incentive program, we want to remove barriers, giving community members easier access to healthy foods like fruits and vegetables from our local farmers, while also teaching them how to maintain healthy habits.

Eligible recipients will receive a $20 produce voucher, redeemable for fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets in Orange and Sullivan counties.

To receive the produce vouchers, eligible participants must:

• Participate in or be eligible for SNAP or Medicaid.
• Live in Sullivan or Orange County.
• Participate in (or complete) Garnet Health’s Diabetes Prevention Program or one of the approved nutrition or physical activity classes offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County. 

The goals of the FreshRx Produce Prescription Program are to:

• Improve health outcomes in Sullivan and Orange counties through increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Reduce individual and household food insecurity.
• Reduce healthcare use and associated costs.

Garnet Health is excited to partner with Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County to make a big impact on people’s wellness while keeping local dollars circulating here in our community.

Participating farmers markets include (with more to be added soon on the SullivanFresh website!):

• Sullivan Fresh Mobile Market 
• Monticello Farmers Market
• Port Jervis Farmers Market 
• Newburgh Farmers Market
• Middletown Farmers Market

The FreshRx Produce Prescription Program is made possible by the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP). Funded through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), GusNIP provides grants on a competitive basis to projects that help low-income consumers access and purchase fresh fruits and vegetables through “cash” incentives that increase their purchasing power at locations like farmers markets.

Please visit Cornell Cooperative Extension for more information about the FreshRx Program or available classes. 

For those with prediabetes who are interested in learning more, visit Garnet Health’s Diabetes Prevention Program.