Project Grant 20247041343029

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** WITH THE SUPPORT OF A GUSNIP PPR GRANT, THE CHICAGO HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY WILL ENHANCE THE IMPACT OF ITS PRODUCE PRESCRIPTION PROGRAM, VEGGIERX. INDIVIDUALS WITH OR AT RISK OF DIET-RELATED ILLNESSES ARE REFERRED BY HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AT 3 FQHC CLINICS IN DISINVESTED CHICAGO COMMUNITIES. THE PROGRAM IS OFFERED WEEKLY AT NO COST IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH, PROVIDING SNAP/MEDICAID PARTICIPANTS WITH PRODUCE BOXES, MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR NUTRITION AND COOKING EDUCATION, AND A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY.THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL SUSTAIN THE PROGRAM'S DRAMATIC GROWTH OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, AND ENABLE VEGGIERX TO ACHIEVE SEVERAL KEY GOALS DURING THE GRANT PERIOD: 1) INCREASE FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CONSUMPTION IN TARGET COMMUNITIES: UP TO 1500 ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS AND 3000 ADDITIONAL HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS WILL RECEIVE AN ESTIMATED 96,000 POUNDS OF PRODUCE, SUPPORTING GUSNIP GOALS TO REDUCE FOOD INSECURITY AND IMPROVE DIETARY HEALTH THROUGH INCREASED PRODUCE CONSUMPTION; 2) DEEPEN ENGAGEMENT WITH PARTICIPANTS, HEALTHCARE PARTNERS, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING SPECIFIC GOALS TO INCREASE PROGRAM ENGAGEMENT DURATION, DECREASE PARTICIPANT FOOD INSECURITY, EXPAND NUTRITION AND COOKING EDUCATION, INCREASE COLLABORATION AND EVALUATION WITH FQHC PARTNERS, AND CONSULT WITH FQHCS/COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS ON REPLICATING THE VEGGIERX MODEL; AND 3) EXPAND DEPTH AND RIGOR OF OUTCOME EVALUATION, PARTICULARLY AS A RESEARCH PARTNER WITH NTAE ON AN ADA-FUNDED STUDY THAT WILL AUGMENT CORE GUSNIP EVALUATION DATA COLLECTION FOR DIABETIC PATIENTS AND SERVE THE GUSNIP GOAL OF BETTER UNDERSTANDING PPR IMPACT ON REDUCING HEALTHCARE USE AND ASSOCIATED COSTS. A GUSNIP GRANT WILL THUS ENABLE VEGGIERX TO IMPACT FOOD SECURITY AND HEALTH FOR THOUSANDS OF CHICAGOANS EACH YEAR.