The Washington State Department of Health’s Fruit and Vegetable Prescription (FV Rx) Program works with health care centers in Washington to prescribe fruits and vegetables to patients who are food insecure. Patients receive between $250-$500 in paper vouchers over six months that are redeemable at Safeway stores* for fresh, frozen, and canned items without added salt, sugar, or fat.
In 2024, FV Rx health care partners will distribute $1.6 million in fruit and vegetable prescriptions across the state, which will serve over 6,000 households.
*In 2025, the program will sunset the paper voucher system and implement an electronic card-based solution utilizing eWIC technology. This will increase shopper choice in retail locations, provide a more streamlined solution for shoppers, healthcare, and retail partners, while allowing for expansion to areas in the state that are not currently served by a Safeway store.
Health Care Partners
- Columbia Valley Community Health
- Community Health Association of Spokane
- Community Health Center of Snohomish County
- Grays Harbor County Public Health
- Harborview Medical Center
- Island County Public Health
- Jamestown Family Health Clinic
- MultiCare Center for Health Equity and Wellness
- MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital
- Neighborcare Health
- Nisqually Tribe
- Nooksack Indian Tribe Health Clinic
- Northwest Pediatric Center
- Odessa Brown Children's Clinic
- Olympic Peninsula Community Clinic
- Peninsula Community Health Services
- Providence Garden Homes Endocrinology
- Puget Sound Kidney Centers
- Quinault Wellness Center
- Sea Mar Community Health Centers
- Unity Care Northwest
- Yakama Nation Nutrition Program
- Yakima Neighborhood Health Services
- Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic
“The program is a great opportunity for me to eat fresh fruit and veggies, it was absolutely a blessing, they are great. It really helps to ensure that I can choose the healthier food. Otherwise, I cannot.” —Patient
“I’ve had older adults come up to me and say, “Thank you so much for providing the [Fruit and Vegetable Rx], I’ve always loved eating berries but they’re so expensive, but now that gets to be my treat at night. I haven’t had berries in 20 years because I couldn’t afford them.” —Health care provider
“I am feeling better . . . maybe I can get off some of my medications in the future.” –Patient
How do I participate?
- Health care partners: Sign up for our newsletter (see link below) to stay informed about open application periods. The next application cycle will be in 2025.
- Patients/individuals: See the list above to determine if your health care provider participates in the program. If they do, talk to you health care team about enrollment. If you do no see your health care center listed above, you can share this page so they can stay informed about upcoming application cycles.
Contact
Questions? Contact us at FVIP@doh.wa.gov., or phone (360) 236-3148.
Stay up to date with the Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program by subscribing to our newsletter. Look for Fruit and Vegetable Incentives Program under Prevention and Community Health (PCH).
The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 43.70.780 authorizes the Department of Health to administer the Fruit and Vegetable Incentives Program, which includes the Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program. Definitions and rules for the program are available in chapter 246-770 WAC.