The Food as Medicine approach is the foundation of this program, as healthy food is critical in the prevention and management of disease. The Montana Produce Prescription Collaborative (MTPRx) partners with healthcare providers across Montana that provide low-income patients with fruits and vegetables, while connecting them to local resources to promote healthy eating and living. Addressing food insecurity and chronic health issues in Montana, while supporting local and sustainable agriculture, is the goal of this program.
How does it Work?
Our partnering healthcare partners provide prescriptions in the form of vouchers or coupons to eligible patients to spend at partnering local farmers markets, food banks, or retail outlets.
The Produce Prescription Process
- Participants are screened by their healthcare provider and enrolled in a Produce Prescription Program
- Participants have health data (A1C, BP, cholesterol) taken and receive nutrition education from their designated program.
- Participants receive incentives for fruits and vegetables at the redemption locations associated with their program.
Participating Programs
Bar1Wellness
Program Contact: Amber Barone –Bar1Wellness@gmail.com
Located in Belgrade, this holistic program model supports food insecure patients diagnosed with a chronic illness. Ten participants are enrolled within each cohort and receive food boxes prepared by local food outlets. Participants also receive weekly recipes, and health coaching. Bar1Wellness is grounded in a holistic approach to healthcare and incorporating a variety of community resources into the healthcare setting.
Partners: Amaltheia, Community partners: Costco, Gallatin Valley Food Bank, Gallatin College Bozeman, Open and Local, MSU Dietetics, Town and Country Foods, Towne’s Harvest Garden, 4 corners Yoga, Shen White Chapel, SNAP Fitness.
FAST Blackfeet Food Pharmacy
Program Contact: Mackenzie Sachs RD -Mackenzie@fastblackfeet.org
Located on the Blackfeet reservation, this program provides participants up to $50/week worth of fresh fruit and vegetable vouchers to redeem at two local grocery stores. Participants also receive nutrition education counseling or participate in group nutrition classes designed specifically for the Blackfeet community that demonstrate how traditional foods and preparation methods align with a healthy lifestyle in reservation communities. Participants also can visit FAST Blackfeet’s Ō´yō´•ṗ´ (we are eating) Food Pantry to get food recommended for their health condition.
- Health partner: Southern Piegan Health Center
- Grocery Store Partners: Teeple’s IGA Browning and Glacier Family Foods
Livingston Food Resource Center (LFRC) Food Pharmacy
Program Contact: Kelsey Tanner –kelsey@livingstonfrc.org
Located in Park County, this program refers participants to the LFRC Food Bank through a no-cost operation model. Medical providers write prescriptions for clients to visit the LFRC Food Bank and offer nutrition education materials on site. Once referred, participants are enrolled in the program for life.
- Health partner: Community Health Partners-Livingston
- Redemption locations: Livingston Food Resource Center Food Bank
Missoula Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Produce Program (MFVPP)
Program Contact: Merry Hutton – Merry.hutton@providence.org
Located in Missoula and Lake County, MFVPP partners with farmers markets and retailers to provide participants with weekly vouchers to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Health partner: St. Patrick’s Providence Hospital
- Redemption locations: Missoula Valley Winter Market, Missoula Farmers Market, SuperOne Foods Ronan, Polson Farmers Market
Land to Hand Food Rx
Program Contact: Gretchen Boyer | Gretchen@lantohandmt.org
Serving the Flathead Valley, this program provides a prescription for bi-weekly produce shares to food insecure patients and their families. Utilizing a local produce broker, Wicked Good Produce, participants are provided with the freshest, most nutrient dense produce available. During the growing season, participants can choose to receive vouchers at their local farmer’s market to shop for their choice of produce each week. Education packets including recipes, information on growing and storing food, and additional cooking techniques are provided with produce deliveries.
- Health Partners: Logan Health Primary Care locations, Logan Health School Based Clinics & Logan Health Diabetes Education and Prevention
- Redemption Locations: Delivery locations throughout the Flathead, and Kalispell, Whitefish, & Columbia Falls Farmers Markets
St. Peter’s Hospital Food Pharmacy
Program Contact: Hayley Wisemiller Hwisemiller@sphealth.org
This program provides monthly food box prescriptions to patients experiencing hypertension and hyperlipidemia, specifically tailored to treat high blood pressure and hypertension. Participants receive nutrition education through the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and 1:1 support with St. Peter’s dietitians. Additional educational resources prepared by the Helena Food Rx program are provided in the food box.
- Health Partner: St. Peters Hospital
- Redemption location: Helena Food Share
Additional Partners:
- Montana No Kid Hungry
- Fort Peck Community College Wellness Center
- CSKT Health
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