A brand new initiative this 12 months led by the Vancouver Farmers Market gave neighborhood members experiencing meals insecurity a constant supply of contemporary meals.
The Vancouver Farmers Market’s Produce Prescription Program — an effort supported by Washington State College Clark County Extension, Vancouver Clinic and the American Coronary heart Affiliation — delivered regionally grown produce to Vancouver Clinic sufferers experiencing meals insecurity and power sickness.
“This project was truly a community effort,” Stephanie Clark, director of Partnerships and Packages for the Vancouver Farmers Market, mentioned in a press release. “It shows how deep of an impact we can make when we work together toward a common goal of creating healthy communities.”
The pilot program served 55 sufferers and their households in 2024. The produce was sourced from native farmers and delivered on to sufferers’ with the assistance of Gathered Harvest, a family-owned Clark County supply service.
“When the opportunity arose to combine service with good food, we were beyond excited. Bringing food to all sorts of people was a highlight to our year,” Gathered Harvest Proprietor Leah Hatfield mentioned in a press release.
WSU Clark County Extension offered translation providers, and the American Coronary heart Affiliation offered technical help and partial funding for this system.
This system formally led to October, however sufferers received one final shock supply earlier than the 12 months was over: a Harvest Field. These containers included $75 price of meals together with squash, potatoes and apples, in addition to regionally sourced meat, eggs and bread to assist households all through the vacation season.
Hilary Henderson, affiliate director of inhabitants well being at Vancouver Clinic, mentioned there’s a direct hyperlink between contemporary meals entry and power sickness.
“Health care is expanding so far beyond just a visit with your clinician,” she mentioned. “It’s becoming so important to your patient’s overall health that they have healthy food and health options. It’s just been incredibly valuable to have this partnership.”
Henderson mentioned the Vancouver Clinic has talked about easy methods to measure well being outcomes for sufferers resembling figuring out whether or not sufferers lowered their A1C and levels of cholesterol after accessing constant, wholesome meals.
“Food is becoming so much more important beyond what traditional medicine has always encompassed,” she mentioned.
Wanting forward, the Vancouver Farmers Market and this system’s companions are hoping to safe further funding to proceed this system for one more 12 months.
“Produce Prescription not only supports patients with healthy food, it also increases economic opportunity for local farmers,” Clark mentioned. “Together, we can continue to prove that fresh, local food is one of the most powerful tools for better health outcomes.”