Food Is Medicine

West Virginia leads the country in chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. FARMacy WV provides access to affordable produce and food prep education to patients with chronic disease.

The challenges we face

53%

West Virginia's diabetes mortality rate is 53 percent higher than the national rate.

19%

West Virginia’s heart disease and stroke mortality rate is 19 percent higher than the national rate.

17%

West Virginia’s cancer mortality rate is 17 percent higher than the national rate.

How we can make a difference

The Rockefeller Foundation Food Initiative Report released March 2021 stresses the importance of “Food Prescriptions” as a way to improve and prevent chronic disease. Medicaid, Medicare, WIC, and SNAP were suggested as sustainable sources of funding for these programs. The FARMacy WV planning team continues to work toward this goal.

FARMacy WV Prescription for Produce card

Our approach

Access

Providing "Prescriptions" for healthy produce to West Virginians with Chronic Disease, linking health care providers and patients to WV farmers and growers.

Affordability

Providing healthy produce to West Virginians with Chronic Disease at reduced cost.

Education

Providing basic cooking skills and nutritional information to West Virginians with Chronic Disease using the WVU Extension educators, DPP program, and available community educational resources.