FRESHFARM and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Launch New Food Is Medicine Program

Gives Food-Insecure Families a Produce Prescription To Redeem at 50+ Area Farmers Markets

WASHINGTON — FRESHFARM and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital are thrilled to announce the August launch of the MedStar Georgetown FRESHFARM Rx Program. This innovative produce prescription program will empower families of pediatric patients experiencing food insecurity with more choice and autonomy in accessing fresh, locally grown produce from over 50 farmers markets in the Washington, DC, area.

The new collaboration aims to address food insecurity, safe and healthy housing, and family mental health, which are central social determinants of health. As the leading food system nonprofit in the area, FRESHFARM will leverage the proven success of its market-based food access programs that prioritize individual agency and choice in this new program.

“This new innovative collaboration bridges families’ visits with their pediatrician to their local farmers markets, to provide enhanced access to delicious, fresh produce, support our local economy, and build strong communities,” said Dr. Janine Rethy, division chief of the Division of Community Pediatrics at MedStar Health.

The program will pilot with 30 to 50 families being treated by the MedStar Health Kids Mobile Medical Clinic and expand to include other eligible families seen at the MedStar Georgetown Pediatrics at Tenleytown location. Enrolled patients will receive a prescription for fruits and vegetables in the form of a Produce Rx card that can be used at any participating farmers market to purchase locally grown fresh produce. Families will have the flexibility to choose what they want and where and when to shop, ultimately giving them the agency to make their own healthy food choices.

"We are excited to expand our Food Is Medicine work in the region with a produce prescription program with MedStar Georgetown," said Caron Gremont, FRESHFARM Director of Food System Resiliency & Innovation. "Since our first Veggie Rx program at Columbia Heights in 2012, we have been committed to improving community health through access to fresh, locally sourced food and comprehensive nutrition education."

The program will run through the end of November 2024, with plans to continue and grow in Spring 2025 and beyond. FRESHFARM and MedStar Georgetown will track health outcomes, utilization, and food security rates to measure the program's acceptability, and impact on families' health and well-being.