Whispering Roots

WHISPERING ROOTS' HEALTHY ROOTS PRODUCE PRESCRIPTION PROGRAM WILL HELP LOW-INCOME ADULTS IN OMAHA WHO HAVE OR ARE AT RISK OF DEVELOPING DIET-RELATED HEALTH CONDITIONS OBTAIN AND USE FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH TWO CHI HEALTH CLINICS HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS WILL IDENTIFY ELIGIBLE PATIENTS AND ISSUE PRODUCE PRESCRIPTIONS. WHISPERING ROOTS WILL SERVE 210 ADULTS THROUGH THREE SIX-MONTH GROUPS. EACH PARTICIPANT WILL RECEIVE TWO FRESH PRODUCE BOXES PER MONTH VALUED AT $55 EACH FOR A TOTAL OF $660 IN FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES DURING THE PROGRAM. PARTICIPANTS WILL ALSO HAVE ACCESS TO NUTRITION EDUCATION THAT COVERS FOOD PREPARATION STORAGE MEAL PLANNING BUDGETING AND HEALTHY COOKING. PICKUP WILL BE THE PRIMARY DISTRIBUTION METHOD WITH HOME DELIVERY AVAILABLE FOR PARTICIPANTS WHO CANNOT RELIABLY PICK UP THEIR PRODUCE BECAUSE OF TRANSPORTATION HEALTH DISABILITY WORK MOBILITY OR CAREGIVING BARRIERS. CREIGHTON INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH WILL INDEPENDENTLY EVALUATE WHETHER THE PROGRAM IMPROVES FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CONSUMPTION FOOD SECURITY NUTRITION KNOWLEDGE RELEVANT HEALTH MEASURES AND HEALTHCARE USE AND COSTS. OVER THE 24-MONTH PROJECT HEALTHY ROOTS WILL CONNECT MEDICAL CARE WITH RELIABLE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD WHILE BUILDING A COORDINATED PRODUCE PRESCRIPTION MODEL THAT WHISPERING ROOTS AND ITS HEALTHCARE PARTNERS CAN USE TO SUPPORT FUTURE FOOD-AS-MEDICINE EFFORTS IN OMAHA.

AQUAPONICS EQUIPMENT

RBDG RURAL BUSINESS COOP NATIVE AMERICAN ENTERPRISE GRANT