FOOD FOR HEALTH

In Georgia, 11% of employed adults and 9.5% of seniors lived in food insecure households between the years of 2021 & 2023. Food insecurity means having limited or uncertain access to adequate, nutritious food. Food insecurity, and the lack of access to affordable nutritious food, are associated with increased risk for multiple chronic health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, mental health disorders and other chronic diseases.

WWG’s solution

1. Wholesome Wave Georgia (WWG) uses produce prescription (PPR) as part of our Food for Health program model to reduce chronic health risks that are associated with food insecurity.

WWG takes Produce Prescription (PPR) programming a step further through the Wholesome Wave Georgia Food for Health Program. To increase the benefits, our work is rooted in “local.” That looks like local food on every plate, local partners on the ground, and local preferences guiding our work. No two sites look the same, because no two communities are the same. 

What are Produce Prescriptions (PPR)?

1. “A Produce Prescription (PPR) is a medical treatment or preventative service for eligible patients due to diet-related health risks or conditions, food insecurity, or other documented challenges in access to nutritious foods. When appropriately dosed, PPRs are designed to improve healthcare outcomes, optimize medical spending, and increase patient engagement and satisfaction.” – National Produce Prescription Collaborative, March 2021

Wholesome Wave Georgia has been a proud member of the National Produce Prescription Collaborative since 2023.

In urban and rural Georgia, an invisible challenge persists for many residents — food insecurity. In 2024, 1.1 million Georgians didn’t have enough food to eat for two weeks in a row. 

As a response, Wholesome Wave Georgia (WWG) deploys the Food for Health program to mitigate chronic health risks associated with food insecurity across the state of Georgia.

Our impact reports show that program participants experience an increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, increased knowledge on healthy eating practices, improved self-efficacy, improved behavior and attitude, and increased knowledge on nutrition.

Food for Health is a 6-8 month program that includes a produce prescription component, references UGA SNAP-ED education curriculum, and connects community members to their local farmers market. In collaboration with a healthcare provider and or a local food system producer, a program eligibility screening survey is distributed to identify program participants. Once a program site cohort has been finalized, individual participants can begin redeeming produce prescriptions for fresh fruit and vegetables at partnered markets, and attend educational courses alongside other cohort members. Once the program term ends, a program graduation is held to recognize participants that completed program requirements. Wholesome Wave Georgia collects, evaluates, and measures key impact indicators.