BACKGROUND
The OKFresh program began in 2020 as a pilot program through the Walmart Foundation. The program aims to expand access to fresh produce among food insecure and low-income populations while also encouraging healthcare providers to modify their workflow to incorporate screening for food insecurity in high-risk communities.
ABOUT
OKFresh is a Produce Prescription Program currently funded through the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, providing year-round fresh fruits and vegetables to eligible families in Lawton, Muskogee, Miami, and their surrounding areas.
By partnering with local healthcare providers, OKFresh identifies eligible individuals and provides an immediate solution for the provider to fill the gap for those living with food insecurity. In addition, the OKFresh program provides matching dollars to purchase up to $40 worth of fresh produce each month from local farmers markets during the summer and at convenient locations in the service areas during the winter.
This provides fresh, locally grown, and healthy foods that have been produced right here in Oklahoma. OKFresh will serve a limited number of families over a two year period on a first-come, first-serve basis.
OKFresh is operated as a collaborative effort between the Oklahoma Medical Quality Foundation (OFMQ) and the ONIE Project. OFMQ, as the primary grantee, conducts overall program coordination and acts as the health clinic liaison. ONIE helps to oversee farmers market operations, trains market staff and volunteers, and provides nutrition education to OKFresh participants.
Current Efforts & Successes
As of September 2023, OKFresh has 621 individuals enrolled and holds a 55% retention rate.
- For self-reported food insecurity, comparing pre- and post-survey data, before the intervention, the prevalence of food security was 11.9% and following the intervention was 20.9% indicating a 9% increase in food security (p=0.0079).
- Regarding increased access to fresh produce, the frequency of buying fruits and vegetables at a Farmers Market once a month, 2-3 times/month, and once/week increased substantially.
- The frequency of buying fruits and vegetables at a farmers’ market once per month increased from 16.4% at baseline to 26.9% following the 6 months of OKFresh intervention.
- The frequency of buying fruits and vegetables at a farmers’ market 2-3 times per month increased from 28.3% at baseline to 41.8% following 6 months of the OKFresh intervention.
- The frequency of buying fruits and vegetables once per week increased from 13.4% at baseline to 14.9% following 6 months of the OKFresh intervention.
Connect with OKFresh
Find more information by visiting OKFresh.org.