Island Health Care Produce Prescription Program
What is the Produce Prescription Program?
How to Enroll:
Please fill out the form at the link below if you are interested in being considered for the program! Space in the program is limited and filling out this form does not guarantee enrollment.
As part of our Food Is Medicine initiative, Island Health Care offers a Produce Prescription Program for select patients and Island residents. This program utilizes About Fresh’s Fresh Connect platform, which creates a seamless debit card checkout process for program participants purchasing fresh produce at local grocery stores.
Each month program participants receive $100 on their Fresh Connect debit card that can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from several locations around the Island, including the Island’s two Stop & Shop locations, Island Grown Initiative’s Mobile Market, and Morning Glory’s farm stand at the West Tisbury Farmer’s Market. Participants also have 1:1 access to IHC’s registered dietitian, peer support, community cooking and nutrition workshops, and resources like cookbooks and kitchen supplies and equipment.
Enrollment is FREE based on pre-existing health conditions. Patients living with diabetes, pre-diabetes, hypertension, or obesity are program-eligible. Consult with your healthcare provider today or call our enrollment coordinators if you are interested in joining the Produce Rx Program!
This program is made possible by the generous support of the New England Rural Health Association, State Office of Rural Health, and the Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation. We are so grateful that these partners support us in our belief that food is medicine!
What Are the Benefits of the Produce Prescription Program?
Here’s what you get when you enroll in the Produce Prescription Program:
Monthly stipend
$100 per month provided to each program participant for up to 1 year
Debit card
Easy to use debit card for seamless checkout
IHC dietician
1:1 access to Island Health Care’s registered dietician
Dietary history review & consultation
Review of dietary history and consulting for any food or nutrition concerns
Peer support group
Access to a supportive group of peers participating in the program
Culinary nutrition workshops
Invitation to attend culinary nutrition workshops with local chefs—view the 2024 workshop schedule in English or Portuguese
Recipe library
Access to a library of healthy cooking tips and recipes
Chance to win cooking equipment!
Chances to win new cooking gadgets & equipment!
Financial assistance
Financial assistance to buy cooking equipment and supplies that will help you get the most out of the program
Other opportunities to engage with our Food Is Medicine initiative:
All are welcome at our cooking and nutrition workshops. Please check back soon for information about upcoming events!
Healthy Recipes
Explore delicious and nutritious recipes curated to help you make the most of fresh, local produce. Our collection features easy-to-follow recipes that are perfect for incorporating seasonal fruits and vegetables into your meals.
Roasted Butternut Squash With Garlic, Pumpkin Seeds & Lemon
Looking for a hearty, healthy dish that’s easy to make, budget-friendly, and totally delicious? This Three Bean Salad from our Produce Prescription (Rx) Program checks all the boxes. Packed with fiber, protein, and flavor, it’s the kind of recipe that works just as well for a beach picnic in August as it does for meal prep in January.
Eat Well, Feel Well: Three Bean Salad For All Seasons
Looking for a hearty, healthy dish that’s easy to make, budget-friendly, and totally delicious? This Three Bean Salad from our Produce Prescription (Rx) Program checks all the boxes. Packed with fiber, protein, and flavor, it’s the kind of recipe that works just as well for a beach picnic in August as it does for meal prep in January.
Healthy Fall Cookout: Recipes for a Nutritious Seasonal Feast
As autumn settles in on Martha’s Vineyard, it’s the ideal time to enjoy a relaxed cookout with friends and family. The season offers a bounty of local produce that pairs beautifully with grilled dishes and fresh, flavorful sides. These three recipes showcase the best of the Island’s harvest, featuring ingredients you can pick up from nearby farms or markets.
Summer Garden Bounty: Fresh Vegetable Pasta
Capture the spirit of Martha’s Vineyard with this delightful summer veggie pasta, made with the freshest produce straight from the Island’s gardens. This dish is the perfect way to use the delicious vegetables that are sprouting across Martha’s Vineyard this season. Whether you have juicy tomatoes, crisp onions, fragrant garlic, fresh basil, or vibrant kale, you can combine whatever vegetables you have on hand with pasta and a drizzle of olive oil to create a simple, nutritious meal.
Farm-Fresh Crunch: Crispy Kale Chips from Martha’s Vineyard
As the summer season flourishes on Martha’s Vineyard, local farms are brimming with vibrant, fresh produce. One of our favorite farm stand staples is kale, and what better way to celebrate this leafy green than by turning it into a delightful, crunchy snack? This recipe for Crispy Kale Chips is not only quick and simple, but also a fantastic way to make use of the fresh kale you find at your local store or, better yet, from one of our beloved local farms like Slough Farm in Edgartown.
Harvest of the Month: Cranberries
Locally harvested in Massachusetts from late September through early November, cranberries are a seasonal gem with a wealth of health benefits. These tart and versatile berries are packed with antioxidants, support heart and digestive health, and help protect the urinary tract. From kabochas and cranberry sauce to vibrant cranberry salsa, there are countless ways to enjoy them! Did you know cranberries are Massachusetts’ top exported good? Or that local organizations like the Vineyard Open Lands Foundation restore bogs sustainably right here on the Island? Embrace the season with fresh, frozen, or sweetened cranberries for a health boost that celebrates autumn.
Colheita do Mês: Cranberries
Colhidas localmente em Massachusetts de final de setembro até o início de novembro, as cranberries são uma joia sazonal repleta de benefícios para a saúde. Essas frutas vermelhas e versáteis são ricas em antioxidantes, promovem a saúde do coração e da digestão, além de ajudar a proteger o trato urinário. De pratos com abóbora kabotcha e molho de cranberry até uma vibrante salsa de cranberry, há inúmeras maneiras de apreciá-las! Você sabia que as cranberries são o produto mais exportado de Massachusetts? Ou que organizações locais, como a Vineyard Open Lands Foundation, restauram bogs de forma sustentável aqui mesmo na ilha? Aproveite a estação com cranberries frescas, congeladas ou adoçadas para um impulso de saúde que celebra o outono.
