The produce prescription program of south central new york (prxscny) project will expand and enhance the rural health network of south central new york's current gusnip PPR program

The Rural Health Network of South Central New York, Inc. received a $483,000 Project Grant award dated September 15, 2025, under the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP, CFDA 10.331), administered by the Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition. The Produce Prescription Program of South Central New York (PRxSCNY) will expand upon the organization's existing produce prescription services across 25 healthcare clinics in five rural New York counties (Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Tioga, and Tompkins). The program will enroll 670 eligible individuals—primarily adults age 18 and older and households with children experiencing diet-related health risks including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or pre-diabetes—and provide $360 per participant in nutrition incentives over a six-month intervention period. Total incentive distribution will reach $241,500, delivered through vouchers redeemable at over 50 retailers including farmers' markets, farm stores, and local grocers, or weekly produce boxes from local sources.

The project addresses documented food insecurity and limited healthy food access in rural communities by integrating healthcare provider screenings and enrollment conducted through three hospital systems with community health worker support and local food system partnerships. In addition to produce prescription incentives, the program delivers nutrition and health education alongside regular team communication to support sustained dietary improvements. The award period extends through September 14, 2028, with the place of performance located in Binghamton, New York.

Building on experiences to date, the project will enroll 670 individuals through 25 healthcare clinics in the rural counties of broome, chenango, delaware, tioga, and tompkins in new york state. The project responds to both growing community needs and increased demand from healthcare providers and eligible individuals. In the rural communities served, longer travel distances, high transportation costs, and limited food retail options often make IT difficult for households to access healthy food. At the same time, high rates of diet-related conditions and low fruit and vegetable consumption across the region underscore the importance of expanded intervention.bringing together healthcare and local food system partners, the prxscny project addresses nutrition and food security needs of adults 18+ and households with children with a diet-related health risk or condition, specifically cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or pre-diabetes. Healthcare providers through three hospital systems and the rural health network's community health workers will screen and enroll eligible individuals, providing $360 in produce prescription incentives during the six-month program. Incentives are provided in the form of vouchers that can be redeemed at over 50 locations including farmers' markets, farm stores, and local grocers; or a weekly box of local produce. A total of $241,500 in incentives will be distributed. Nutrition and health education, regular communication from the PRX team, and strong partnerships with healthcare providers and local farms and food businesses will support sustained improvements in dietary health.key project goals include 1) improving dietary health and reducing food insecurity through access to and consumption of local and regional fresh fruits and vegetables; 2) improving health outcomes and reducing urgent healthcare utilization and associated costs; 3) increasing participation and retention in PRX; and 4) strengthening integration of PRX within healthcare delivery. A robust evaluation will demonstrate effectiveness achieving project goals and outcomes.