SEPTEMBER FOODSHARE IMPACT STORY

produce box prescriptions are preventative medicine

FoodShare Greenville knows that healthy eating has a transformational impact not only on an individual's personal health, but also relieves a burden on our healthcare systems since community health is improved when eating patterns are shifted for the better. It is estimated that over $63 million dollars was spent on additional healthcare costs associated with food insecurity in 2020 (The Healthcare Costs of Food Insecurity, 2021). In an effort to relieve this burden, we have partnered with the Greenville Health Authority to launch FoodRx — a strategy to expand the proven FoodShare produce box distribution model to provide a systemic solution to healthy food insecurity faced by Greenville County residents. 

We are partnering with local healthcare providers to prescribe healthy food boxes as preventative medicine to those experiencing food insecurity in our community. Imagine leaving your doctor’s office with a prescription to eat healthier AND a FoodShare box delivered to your clinic on a bi-weekly basis. Linking arms with healthcare providers, we are combatting food insecurity in a powerful way. One of our customers wrote in:

I have been truly blessed to be able to receive FoodShare boxes! I'm currently on a diet through the bariatric doctor and have lost weight. Being able to get fresh fruits and vegetables has helped me a lot. Without this service I probably would not get the nutrition I need!

A clinic partner shared that their customers are really grateful for the boxes they receive through the FoodRx program. Thanks to the support from the Greenville Health Authority, we are continuing to expand the FoodRx program to other clinic locations. We hope to reach all parts of Greenville county with access to fresh and affordable produce!

About Food Insecurity & FoodShare Greenville

Have you ever wondered if you would be able to afford grocery store produce? Maybe you’ve been shopping and instead of purchasing fresh fruits and veggies, you decided to buy something canned or frozen, or limited your produce purchases to fit into your budget. So many of us feel the impact that inflation has on our wallets and are having to adjust accordingly, which can also compromise the level of nutrition in our diets.

For those who have limited or uncertain access to adequate food at the household level, including the inability to secure nutritious food due to lack of money or convenience, they may be experiencing food insecurity.

At FoodShare Greenville, we alleviate food insecurity by increasing access to fresh produce, regardless of where someone lives or their income level. We are solving this issue by providing various access points for our customers to pick up a fresh food box across Greenville County. Additionally, our boxes are available at affordable prices. Customers receiving EBT/SNAP (formerly FoodStamps) can purchase a $30 retail value box of produce for ONLY $5 of EBT/SNAP. Those low-middle incomes without EBT/SNAP can purchase a box for only $15!

This work would not be possible without partners, volunteers and donors! Please consider helping support this transformational work today!