They’re getting a lot of support and positivity that they wouldn’t otherwise receive. 'People are socializing and building wonderful relationships with community (health) workers, the farmers, and other program participants.

Reister is often emotionally affected by another key benefit of the program. The local food economy and farmers are benefiting, too.' 'And they share both the food and their new habits with their kids and families. 'People are able to take control of their health in a different way,' says Ariane Reister, the program’s coordinator and a health educator with the Washtenaw County Health Department. And the benefits extend beyond the actual program members. Putting those wooden tokens in participants’ hands is tantamount to handing them the power to make life-changing – and potentially life-saving – choices. Clients get 10 tokens per visit and each token is valued at $1. Waiting for them at a booth are friendly community health workers who give them nutritional information, individual support, and the tokens they need to purchase fresh produce. Clients are referred by a clinician who gives them a written prescription worth $100 that they can take to a farmers market and use over 10 visits.

It’s designed to help people who are both food-insecure and at risk for chronic disease improve their wellbeing. They head to their local farmers markets, seeking better health in the form of fresh fruits and vegetables.įounded in 2008, the Prescription for Health program is funded by Saint Joseph Mercy Health System. But that’s not the case for the 400-plus people enrolled in Washtenaw County’s Prescription for Health program. For most folks, getting a prescription filled usually means a trip to the local pharmacy.

Pittsfield township farmers market