A local wellness initiative put free fruits and vegetables in the hands of patients dealing with chronic health issues.

The Iowa Healthiest State Initiative, in collaboration with Broadlawns Medical Center, conducted a pilot of a produce prescription program from June 2021 to February 2022, according to a news release. Its goal was to address health concerns for food-insecure patients with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease.

The Polk County Produce Prescription Program, which was funded by the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines and the Mid-Iowa Health Foundation, connected food-insecure individuals who had diet-related diseases with medical providers. Medical providers then wrote prescriptions for free fruits and vegetables while also delivering nutrition education and collecting biometrics monthly.

Patients in the program could get free fruits and vegetables for six months. Many of these patients kept a self-report to note any progress made.

According to the press release, more than 90% of participants reported they had a positive or very positive experience. Patients reported that they were less likely to skip a meal or cut the size of one because they did not have enough money for food.

More information is available on the Iowa Healthiest State website.