"Seeds of Change: Using Community Voices to Implement a Produce Prescription Program in a Rural Community"
Abstract
Our health district received funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a five-year Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) cooperative agreement. The REACH funding enabled the start of a program aimed at improving health, preventing chronic diseases, and reducing health disparities among the African American populations in three rural counties in Georgia.
The rural county is in middle Georgia, with a population of under 44,000 residents. According to the County Health Rankings, it faces significant health challenges, including a 41% obesity rate, 29% of children living in poverty, and over 15% of the population being uninsured (2024).
CDC (2024) has identified produce prescription programs (PPP) as an effective strategy for increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. These programs provide an innovative method for preventing and managing chronic diseases including metabolic syndrome by allowing healthcare providers to "prescribe" fruits and vegetables to at-risk patients, including those experiencing food insecurity. The program seeks to enhance community health through the implementation of a local PPP.
A crucial aspect of developing a successful PPP is the incorporation of community voices throughout the process. Each community possesses unique cultural dynamics and needs, making local engagement essential. Existing community coalitions, which unite diverse partners and community members, served as vital hubs for learning about the needs, concerns, assets, and barriers in the target neighborhoods for the PPP. Meetings with these coalitions created opportunities for gathering input through qualitative methods such as key informant interviews and focus groups, enabling residents to share their perspectives and experiences. By incorporating community voices into the program design, the PPP will be relevant and accessible to community members.
Keywords
Produce prescription, community voices, program planning, and health promotion
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"Seeds of Change: Using Community Voices to Implement a Produce Prescription Program in a Rural Community"
Our health district received funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a five-year Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) cooperative agreement. The REACH funding enabled the start of a program aimed at improving health, preventing chronic diseases, and reducing health disparities among the African American populations in three rural counties in Georgia.
The rural county is in middle Georgia, with a population of under 44,000 residents. According to the County Health Rankings, it faces significant health challenges, including a 41% obesity rate, 29% of children living in poverty, and over 15% of the population being uninsured (2024).
CDC (2024) has identified produce prescription programs (PPP) as an effective strategy for increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. These programs provide an innovative method for preventing and managing chronic diseases including metabolic syndrome by allowing healthcare providers to "prescribe" fruits and vegetables to at-risk patients, including those experiencing food insecurity. The program seeks to enhance community health through the implementation of a local PPP.
A crucial aspect of developing a successful PPP is the incorporation of community voices throughout the process. Each community possesses unique cultural dynamics and needs, making local engagement essential. Existing community coalitions, which unite diverse partners and community members, served as vital hubs for learning about the needs, concerns, assets, and barriers in the target neighborhoods for the PPP. Meetings with these coalitions created opportunities for gathering input through qualitative methods such as key informant interviews and focus groups, enabling residents to share their perspectives and experiences. By incorporating community voices into the program design, the PPP will be relevant and accessible to community members.
