P4 Grantee Highlights
In 2023, the IHS Produce Prescription Pilot Program (P4) awarded grant funding to 5 Tribal communities to develop a 5-year produce prescription program. The purpose of the P4 is to help reduce food insecurity and improve health care outcomes among American Indian and Alaska Native people by increasing access to produce and other traditional foods within Native communities. Each pilot program is unique in their delivery and implementation of their P4 activities. Learn more about each P4 Grantee by clicking on the tabs below.
Laguna Community Health Center
Pueblo of Laguna residents with diabetes are reaping the benefits of more fruits and vegetables. Qualified individuals seen at the Laguna Community Health Center register for the produce prescription program after being assessed. The program provides fruit and vegetable vouchers to redeem at the local grocery store located on the Pueblo of Laguna. Individuals are required to visit with a Registered Dietitian and attend the “Using Fresh Produce” class once a month to learn how to use a new fruit or vegetable (chosen by the participants). So far, vegetables and recipes introduced during the class include zucchini tacos, brussels sprouts, spaghetti squash, artichokes, eggplant and an upcoming class on how to use Bok choy.
Muscogee (Creek) Nation
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s Diabetes Program is in the process of implementing their P4 project, working with 5 of their satellite clinics. They plan to collaborate with a regional food system in Oklahoma to provide fresh fruits, vegetables, and traditional foods to participants. This collaboration aims to provide access to nutrition education and fresh produce sourced locally from organically grown, family-owned farms.
Sage Memorial Hospital
Sage Memorial Hospital is developing a hybrid produce prescription delivery and voucher program in collaboration with local grocers. Additionally, they are developing a Diné traditional-focused Nutrition Community Outreach Program to serve the communities of the Sage Memorial Hospital located on Navajo Nation in the Ganado, AZ service area.
Pascua Yaqui Tribe
The Pascua Yaqui Tribe’s P4 program “Yoemem Harvest – Food is Medicine” (Yoemem translates to “The People”) offers their community local and organic fruits, vegetables, and traditional foods. The goals of their P4 project are to improve food security, dietary health, and health outcomes. They are also proud to increase food sovereignty by sourcing foods from local farmers, some of which are Indigenous. Yoemem Harvest’s future plans are to enhance their agricultural capacity to grow Yaqui crops to funnel into the community and other tribal programs.
Rocky Boy Health Center
The Rocky Boy Health Center is working to improve the health and wellbeing of the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy Montana by providing fresh fruits and vegetables. Their goal is to support local food sovereignty by supporting the agriculture of traditional foods. They implement innovative nutrition education classes, such as teaching community members how to make deer jerky.
