As part of Farm Fresh for Health, ASAP offers the Farm Fresh Produce Prescription. Participating healthcare providers can prescribe patients more fresh fruits and vegetables to help treat or prevent diet-related illness. Patients redeem their prescription at a local farmers market.
The prescription incentive provides healthcare providers with action steps that fit within the healthcare process. Social environments significantly impact food choices and are a crucial intervention point to increase healthy eating. Farmers markets naturally offer environments that encourage eating fresh and seasonal fruit and vegetables, cooking at home, and eating together with friends and family.
How It Works
This process is for using Farm Fresh Produce Prescription at farmers markets in Buncombe, Henderson, Haywood, and Madison counties.
Eligibility and Referral Process
We are currently accepting prescription referrals only from Appalachian Mountain Health, Buncombe County WIC, Hot Springs Health Program, MAHEC Care Navigation, and Nurse Family Partnership. Talk with your healthcare provider to find out if you are eligible. Eligible patients are those who suffer from or are at risk of developing a diet-related condition AND meet one of the following criteria:
- Eligible for a federal supplemental nutrition program such as SNAP or free and reduced lunch
- Enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP
Healthcare providers submit a referral to ASAP via the NCCARE360 UniteUs app. ASAP will follow up directly with a unique Prescription Identification Number.
Redeeming Your Prescription
You may redeem your Farm Fresh Produce Prescription weekly at any participating farmers market (see a list of markets). The amount ($20–60) depends on household size. Present your Prescription Identification Card at the market information booth in exchange for Farm Fresh Bucks. These are wooden tokens that you can use to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from any produce vendor at the market. Farm Fresh Bucks do not expire and may be used on other visits or at other markets.
See a demonstration video on how to use your Farm Fresh Product Prescription at participating markets in both English and Spanish.
For more information call (828) 222-0454.
Participating Farmers Markets
Produce Prescription markets are located in Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, and Haywood counties. You may redeem your Farm Fresh Produce Prescription or shop with Farm Fresh Bucks at any of these markets. Get location, dates, hours, vendor, and other details at the link.
Helpful tips: A Guide to Visiting the Farmers Market (Una Guía Para Su Visita al Mercado de Agricultores)
ART Bus Passes
Most farmers markets in Asheville are accessible via ART bus lines. View a bus map with farmers market locations. ART Transit Ticketbooks, which are good for 11 bus fares, are available for enrolled participants in the Farm Fresh Produce Prescription. To request one, contact (828) 222-0454.
Program Impact
View Farm Fresh Produce Prescription Impact Report.
“We love the program for so many reasons: more shoppers at our established sales venues means we have less waste on our farm, selling to a diverse population gives our work meaning, and increased sales means that we can pay our staff and ourselves more of a livable wage. These are all difficult things to achieve in farming, and we are so grateful that ASAP’s SNAP and prescription programs have so effectively done it.” —farm owner
“This has been a huge gift to our family! With the high food prices, this has saved us in so many ways and allowed us to feed our family healthy, local foods and still keep a roof over our heads. I am forever grateful and wish it would never end.” —program participant
“Fresh food isn’t easily accessible for many people, and ten dollars of fresh produce makes a huge difference. If they don’t know how to cook, I list foods available at the market that can be enjoyed raw, like bell peppers and tomatoes or even a cup of coffee or popsicle. Getting there is the most important part. This prescription program gives people that incentive and motivation to come back the next week.” —Dr. Sydney Hendry, participating physician (Read the full interview.)