Photo Credit: Michael McManus

Prescription for Health

Prescription for Health is no longer accepting referrals for the 2023 season.

Livingston County Prescription for Health is a fruit and vegetable prescription program that aims to increase fruit and vegetable consumption and support healthy behavior change among participants with food insecurity and chronic disease risk. Prescription for Health provides support, education, assistance setting health goals, and up to $200 to spend on fruits and vegetables.

After enrolling in the program, participants periodically check in with Prescription for Health staff at participating farmers market locations in the Howell and Brighton areas. Each time a participant checks in, they receive a set number of tokens, which can be used like cash to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at the farmers markets. During each visit, participants also have a brief conversation with staff about the health goals they are working towards and how progress is going to achieving those goals.

Prescription for Health aims to:

Increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables among participants.
Foster healthy behavior change in program participants by providing nutrition education, referrals to community resources, and support from Community Health Workers.
Create strong partnerships between the local public health department, clinics, and farmers markets to increase awareness of the local food system, promote utilization of community resources, and support participant health improvement.
Support development of the local food system and economy.

If you have questions about the program you can call the Livingston County Health Department at 517-546-9850 and ask to speak with the Prescription for Health Coordinator, or email your questions to PrescriptionForHealth@livgov.com.