Doctors ‘prescribe’ fresh produce with help from food banks

Load fresh fruits and vegetables into a refrigerator truck and drive it to a health clinic, then have a doctor write a “prescription” for food to improve the diets of low-income people with diabetes and high blood pressure.

U.S. food banks — the organizations on the front lines of fighting hunger — increasingly are promoting “food as medicine” strategies designed to address, not exacerbate, the high rate of chronic health problems among the poor.



Since August 2015, six Chicago-area clinics have hosted 26 Fresh Truck visits by the Greater Chicago Food Depository, providing more than 100,000 pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables to more than 3,200 households.

“Food banks are trying to do better by providing fewer starches and carbs and more lean proteins, fruits, vegetables and whole grains,” said Dr. Hilary Seligman, senior medical adviser for Feeding America.