In the U.S., social determinants of health such as where people live, their social support, financial distress, and access to health care, education and healthy food can impact their health.
Many adults and children in West Virginia face food insecurity every day.
The FARMacy Program is designed to provide fresh fruits and vegetables, nutrition and physical fitness education to patients managing diabetes.
Vandalia Health Network recently kicked off the FARMacy program with its partner, Coalfield Health Center, providing fruits and vegetables for eligible people living in the Chapmanville area.
“We are thrilled to introduce our FARMacy program, which represents a significant step forward in our commitment to promoting health and wellness in rural West Virginia,” said Michelle Coon, President of Vandalia Health Network. “We plan to have more locations in different areas of the state.”
Vandalia Health Network and its partners plan to expand the FARMacy program to five rural regions across West Virginia identified as food deserts or food swamps. Funding supports a 15-week program offering food, labs, health education classes, cooking classes and incentives.
