Many people with chronic health conditions need more than good health care — they need good food, and for many, that is not easy to come by.So Presbyterian Health Services created the “Food Farmacy” to bring healthy foods to eligible members. It is now expanding the program to its Rust Medical Center in Rio Rancho.The program was initiated by providers who saw how limited access to healthy food made it difficult for some patients to manage chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease.”Not all of us are fortunate enough to have access to fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Ashley Dunworth, a registered dietitian with Certified Diabetes Care. “We might not have the budget or the money or live close to a grocery store where we can buy fresh produce. So it’s not enough to just tell people to eat healthy — we want to give access to those fresh fruits and vegetables.”The program serves Presbyterian member patients and helps them make a health plan. Members must be referred to the program by their primary care provider, have a diet-related chronic condition and screen positive for food insecurity. Food distributions happen on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Many people with chronic health conditions need more than good health care — they need good food, and for many, that is not easy to come by.
So Presbyterian Health Services created the “Food Farmacy” to bring healthy foods to eligible members. It is now expanding the program to its Rust Medical Center in Rio Rancho.
The program was initiated by providers who saw how limited access to healthy food made it difficult for some patients to manage chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
“Not all of us are fortunate enough to have access to fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Ashley Dunworth, a registered dietitian with Certified Diabetes Care. “We might not have the budget or the money or live close to a grocery store where we can buy fresh produce. So it’s not enough to just tell people to eat healthy — we want to give access to those fresh fruits and vegetables.”
The program serves Presbyterian member patients and helps them make a health plan. Members must be referred to the program by their primary care provider, have a diet-related chronic condition and screen positive for food insecurity. Food distributions happen on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.