Franciscan Alliance’s fresh produce program comes to Michigan City
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Franciscan Health Michigan City is introducing a Produce Prescription Program aimed at assisting with chronic disease management to the city’s residents.
Beneficiaries would need to complete a free four-week Cooking Matters course before getting access to the program, and successful participants will receive six monthly produce vouchers for fresh fruit and vegetables.
The Produce Prescription Program originated in Franciscan Alliance’s Lake County Fresh Start Market healthy food pantries, which allow those in need to shop free of charge. The program has now expanded to include locations in central Indiana.
An Indiana Department of Health “Together We Will” grant and donations to the Franciscan Health Foundation’s Food Insecurity Fund enabled the expansion of the program into Michigan City, the health system said.
The Michigan City hospital previously offered a similar program geared towards diabetic patients. With the new program, anyone suffering from a chronic illness can benefit.
Participants do not need to be existing patients with the hospital. Program administrators will screen participants to determine eligibility.
“Our focus is whole person care. When you think about chronic disease management, the challenges are often the result of many other social factors,” Danielle Crowder, Franciscan Alliance Community Health Improvement Director, said in a news release. “Management of chronic diseases can be exacerbated by living in a food desert, not being able to afford quality fruits and vegetables, a lack of transportation and personal mobility issues.”
The Cooking Matters course is offered through a partnership with the Indy Hunger Network, which provided certification for Franciscan staff to facilitate classes.
The program will meet for four weeks on Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. beginning July 9 and concluding July 30. Residents who would like to participate in the program can email Selena Tinoco at or call (219) 221-4153.