News

January 26, 2018

Capital Roots Awarded $50,000 Grant to Expand VeggieRx Program with Whitney Young Health

VeggieRx Program provides eligible patients with “prescription” vouchers to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from Capital Roots’ Veggie Mobile®

The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region awarded Capital Roots a $50,000 grant from The Hortense and Louis Rubin Community Health Fund to continue and expand the VeggieRx Program partnership with Whitney Young Health.

The VeggieRx program is a fruit and vegetable prescription voucher program that treats patients affected by nutrition-related chronic conditions such as both types of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity through a holistic “prescription produce” approach. Patients work with a Whitney Young Health Nutritionist and are connected to the VeggieRx Program that allows the patient to take advantage of Capital Roots’ Veggie Mobile® markets. These mobile markets make the food available at various locations throughout the Capital District.

“When it comes to diabetes, Whitney Young Health puts an emphasis on education and training to help patients modify their behavior and make better eating decisions.  Since working with Capital Roots, we’ve really made a difference with the patients in the program,” said David Shippee, President and CEO of Whitney Young Health. “This grant enables us to accept more patients into the program and directly address the inequalities in health and diet that lead to a greater occurrence of diabetes and hypertension.”

“Capital Roots’ mission is to make fresh food accessible to all residents in our region. Partnering with Whitney Young Health through our Veggie Rx program ensures that those suffering from nutrition-related illnesses are provided the resources necessary to eat and live well,” said Amy Klein, CEO of Capital Roots. “Funding from The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region’s Hortense and Louis Rubin Fund is critical to ensure this program continues to grow and thrive. We’re grateful to have the opportunity to expand this important community partnership.”

Patients receive coupon books containing twelve $7 coupons which are redeemable for fresh food on board the Veggie Mobile® and Veggie Mobile® Sprout. The mobile markets make 35 stops within the Capital District that patients are able to visit.

To learn more about the VeggieRx program visit www.wmyhealth.org/services  or  www.capitalroots.org/programs/veggierx.