Today was a wonderful day for the Columbia Heights Farmers Market as we kicked off the Fruit and Vegetable Prescription program!
Around 20 of the 35 families selected for this exciting pilot program brought their ‘prescription’ from their doctor at Upper Cardozo Health Center (part of Unity Healthcare) to the CHCM. The program, generously supported by Wholesome Wave, encourages at-risk families the opportunity to try more fresh, local fruits and vegetables. This is not only beneficial to the families, but is also beneficial to the farmers and the community.
Our friendly neighborhood R.D., Amanda Terillo, met up with a group of participating families at the Upper Cardozo Healthcare Center and explained how to redeem their ‘prescription’ at the CHCM information table. She then walked them through the market, pointing out a wide variety of fruits and vegetables that they might purchase. The families filled up their market bags with all sorts of produce — from cherries to kale to salad greens — and expressed how excited they were to go home and prepare meals for their families.
We cannot wait to hear next week what they prepared and their thoughts of this program. This is a wonderful step in the right direction in making DC a healthier city!
[Photo courtesy of Andrew Kreiger.]
