BMH partners with WV Extension Service to offer FARMacy – free, locally grown fruits and vegetables

FARMacy is a 15-week program that helps families improve their health by providing fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables - at no cost.

The Boone Memorial Hospital Healthy Lifestyle Program, located in Madison, has partnered with the WVU Extension Service to bring the program to the area. The program was made available through a grant from the Walmart Foundation. Led by BMH Family Nurse Practitioner, Kathy Hill, the Boone County FARMacy Program began in 2020.

"We were able to provide 23 families with produce," said Hill. "We are very happy to kick off the program again in 2021. We are accepting new applicants now."

You may be eligible if you can answer "yes" to any of the following, Hill explained:

1) Do you have diabetes, heart disease or another chronic illness?

2) Does your family sometimes run out of food?

3) Do you provide care for at least one child under the age of 18?

How does the FARMacy program work?

• Your medical provider gives you a prescription for fresh fruits and vegetables.

• Use your prescription to shop at the weekly farmer's market (organized by BMH and WVU Extension).

• Participate in 6 nutrition education and cooking classes.

• Complete medical assessments such as weight, blood pressure, finger-stick blood tests, etc.

• Complete surveys about your eating and lifestyle habits.

• The program will not interfere with current food benefits.

"If you are eligible, signing up is simple," Hill said. "Contact me at 304-369-1230 Ext. 4904 or kjhill@bmh.org.

Keep in mind; however, slots are limited to 50. Once selected, we will go over the program components in detail."

West Virginia leads the country in chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.

"FARMacy is a great initiative to help combat these diseases," Hill concluded. "We are very excited to get started."

Hill hopes to have all 50 slots filled by mid-June.