Wholesome Wave FVRx fact sheet

FVRx

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Wholesome Wave’s

Fruit & Vegetable Prescription Program 2012 Outcomes

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FVRx fosters innovative partnerships between healthcare providers and farmers markets to measure the impacts of increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables in underserved communities.

The FVRx Process Overweight and obese children and pregnant women are enrolled by their primary care provider as FVRx participants.

A primary care provider and a nutritionist meet with participants and their families each month to reinforce the importance of healthy eating.

The provider distributes FVRx prescriptions during the visit and assesses fruit and vegetable consumption, and Body Mass Index (BMI).

A prescription represents at least 1 serving of produce per day for each patient and each family member, equal to $1/day; e.g. a family of 4 would receive $28 per week.

Prescriptions can be redeemed weekly for fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers market(s) throughout the 4-6 month program.

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Participants return to their health care provider monthly to refill their FVRx prescription, and set new goals for healthy eating.

The FVRx program has multiple impacts on participating farmers markets, families and health care providers:

FVRx patients realize positive health outcomes during the FVRx season

55.3%

of participants reported an increase in their fruit and vegetable consumption

37.8%

of child participants decreased BMI

Families reported a significant increase in household food security

Farmers see the value to the [FVRx] program. They’re actually requesting this type of programming and strategizing around how to help low-income families.

— Sarah Smith, Farmer

Nourishing Neighborhoods Across America

Shopping behaviors are changed and knowledge about local and healthy foods is improved.

53%

of families came to the farmers market 8 or more times during the FVRx season Participants increased knowledge about their neighborhood farmers markets, where to buy locally grown produce, and the importance of fruits and vegetables in their diet

Who are the FVRx patients and families impacted by the program?

760

FVRx empowers patients and providers to act on recommendations.

58%

of patients1 completed the intervention, making at least 3 visits to the health center and 6 visits to the farmers markets during the FVRx season

90%

of participants were told about the importance of fruits and vegetables by their healthcare provider at every visit 1

N=222

815

adults and children from 7 states and Washington D.C. number of family members in average household on Medicaid or other public insurance

PHOTO: GROWNYC

4.25 82%

The program gives patients the ability to take a risk to do something good for themselves. It gives them control over their lives and the power to make healthy choices. — Mike Lambke, Healthcare Provider

Wholesome Wave is a national 501(c)3 organization dedicated to supporting small and midsize farms, and making fresh, healthy, locally grown fruits and vegetables available to all people, regardless of income. For more information about Wholesome Wave, visit www.wholesomewave.org, email info@wholesomewave.org, or call 203-226-1112.

To view the FVRx Full Report and Fact Sheet, please visit http://wholesomewave.org/wholesomewaveresearch/.

Supported by the Aetna Foundation, a national foundation based in Hartford, Connecticut that supports projects to promote wellness, health and access to high-quality health care for everyone. The views presented here are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Aetna Foundation, its directors, officers, or staff.