Produce Prescription Program helps fight food insecurity in Southeast Missouri

SOUTHEAST MISSOURI(KBSI) – A program aimed at feeding those in need in Southeast Missouri is now available…..with a prescription. The SEMO food banks Produce Prescription Program partners with local doctors to fight local food insecurity.

Kirstan Mirgeaux , is the Health Programs Coordinator for SEMO food bank she shares the Prescription Produce Program aims to help fight local food insecurity.

Mirgeaux shares that doctors through Mercy Healthcare give a survey asking a series of questions around struggling to put food on the table, if someone is struggling the doctor can write a prescription for a produce box that can be picked twice a month.

The Prescription Produce Program is funded by a grant from the Gus Schumacher nutrition incentive program and that grant is with Mercy so only doctors through Mercy can write the prescription. 

 Anyone 18 or older facing hunger can ask about the program, and after SEMO food bank receives the prescription, Mirgeaux then sets up each person with a time and location to pick up their fresh produce box full of fresh fruits and vegetables and the prescription lasts for one year with pickup locations in SEMO foodbanks of Jackson and Sikeston.