DURHAM, NC –  Brand, generic, co-pays, preferred formularies. Those terms are typically associated with the routine of receiving and filling a prescription from a medical provider.

Starting this week, prescriptions from the Durham County Department of Public Health’s prenatal clinic may have a few unique instructions that among others, may include wash, peel, or slice, as well as be far more appealing to digest, as the department unwraps its Fresh Food Prescription (FFRx) program pilot.

The pilot, funded by a grant from the North Carolina Public Health Association’s Dr. Ann F. Wolfe Endowment, will provide 36 pregnant women with prescriptions for fresh produce at each of their prenatal appointments. 

The women can fill their prescriptions at Veggie Van, a mobile market that sells produce in the lobby of the Durham County Human Services building and three other locations in Durham, for a $2.50 co-pay to fill the prescription, using cash, credit, check and SNAP/EBT (previously known as food stamps). The offering from Veggie Van will include four to five different types of local, fresh fruits and vegetables.

“Public Health continues to tirelessly work to reduce as many barriers to healthy eating as possible, including cost and transportation,” said Kelly Warnock, nutrition program manager with the Durham County Department of Public Health. “In addition, we are also providing nutrition education, recipes, and cooking demonstrations to show our expectant mothers how to use the different items. In essence, FFRx enables one stop access fresh food, practical nutrition education and prenatal care.”

Every dollar invested in the FFRx program nourishes mother and child by increasing fruit and vegetable consumption and lowering risks for chronic disease, obesity and diabetes risk. Similar programs throughout the country have shown health behavior changes continue after the patients stop receiving prescriptions.

The department hopes to expand the program to include more clients through its other health clinics as funding comes available.

For more information about the programs and services offered through the department’s nutrition program, call Warnock at 919-560-7857 or e-mail kwarnock@dconc.gov. To find out more about Veggie Van, including their market schedule, visit www.cnpnc.org, call 910-292-9166 or e-mail veggievan@cnpnc.org.

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