The Health Care Share (HCS) is a farm-to-hospital public health program that connects Vermont families with fresh, healthy food and nutrition education at their doctor’s office. Health care providers at partnering medical centers identify patient families experiencing food insecurity, diet-related illness, or other distinct health risks and prescribe a more nutritious diet with a Health Care Share: 15 weeks of fresh fruits and vegetables. In each community, VYCC Farm crews grow and distribute shares to local family practices, medical centers, and community clinics.
Each share contains 12 to 15 pounds of diverse produce, a weekly newsletter, and a whole frozen chicken (in some locations). Volunteers and health professionals at some pick-up sites offer tasting samples and cooking demonstrations. All members also receive a resource binder with recipes, basic cooking tutorials, and nutrition information. Through these programs, members gain tools for maintaining a healthy diet and shopping for fresh food. This unique approach to preventative medicine and public health is provided to all HCS Members.
Contact Jess Laporte, Community Health Program Manager, to learn how to bring the Health Care Share to your community.
Interested in contributing to your food system? Get involved by volunteering!
Each share comes with a handcrafted newsletter full of share information, Farm Team updates, recipes, and more!
Read more about each week’s share here.