Fresh RX for Moms in Kentucky
Sandra Ballew Barnes, CAN participant and Fresh Rx Coordinator, shares about one of Community Farm Alliance’s (CFA) successful produce prescription programs – Fresh Rx for Moms. This program provides local grown produce to expectant mothers who are on medicaid. It was piloted in Western Kentucky and through a USDA Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), it has now expanded across the state and can cover the full term of pregnancy.
There are three levels of the program providing produce for 12, 21, and 40 weeks with participants receiving $26/week for fresh fruits and produce. They can receive their produce from a local farmers market, a CSA model from a few participating farms, or a one stop shop for expectant mothers through partner community agencies. One of their most successful programs is Need More Acres Farm, which is a delivery CSA option. It has 100% redemption because they deliver the produce right to the expectant mom’s door. Fresh Rx for Moms also provides nutrition education or access to a dietician at different sites.
Pictured on right – Margaret and her baby from Wisteria Hill Farm, one of the farmers that supplies FreshRx Produce in Mercer County, KY,
“We expanded this program across the state and also the length of the program as well to cover the full term pregnancy, and to positively impact the outcomes of health through moms’ increased consumption of fresh produce. We pride it on being grown locally and supporting our local farmers, impacting not only the expected moms, but also the farmers in Kentucky” – Sandra Ballew Barnes
Myrisa Christy, CAN member and Executive Director at CFA, expanded that under Sandra’s leadership with Fresh RX for Moms, it has greatly expanded support for local farms and has had over $80,000 of direct farm impact this year. They were also able to allocate some funds to provide cooking resources and equipment for moms, including larger items like instapots and air fryers.
For more information about Fresh RX for Moms, the areas they serve, and about their partners visit https://cfaky.org/freshrx/