Coordinated Care Joins Washington State Department of Health and Safeway to Increase Access to Healthy Food During the Pandemic
Date: 07/13/21
Coordinated Care has joined the Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program established by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and Safeway to expand the program's reach in a pilot program which started July 1, 2021. The program, Coordinated Care Harvest BucksTM, is a new benefit offered to Coordinated Care members facing food insecurity. A recent survey conducted by UW and WSU researchers found that food insecurity has remained high in Washington, and respondents of color were nearly 1.5 times more likely to be food insecure than white respondents.
The program provides members Coordinated Care Harvest BucksTM vouchers, valued at $10, to purchase fresh, frozen or canned fruits and vegetables at any Safeway store in Washington. These prescription vouchers are distributed at more than 20 participating provider sites across the state, or by calling Coordinated Care Member Services. Vouchers are available to members who are experiencing food insecurity.
"We are pleased to partner with the Department of Health and Safeway, as we pilot our Coordinated Care Harvest BucksTM program," said Beth Johnson, President and CEO of Coordinated Care. "Access to healthy food has always been a focus for Coordinated Care, as we recognize that what we put in our bodies has a significant impact on whole-person health and nutrition-related chronic diseases."
DOH's Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program launched in 2016. In 2020, more than $335,000 worth of vouchers were redeemed.
"The Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program has provided access to healthy food for thousands of Washington households. Due to Covid-19, more people are facing food insecurity," said Beth Mizushima, Director of the Office for Healthy and Safe Communities at DOH. "Partnering with Coordinated Care means we can continue to reach more households experiencing food insecurity with access to healthy options during this time of need."
"In our partnership with the Department of Health, produce vouchers have proven to be a very effective way to meet people where they already are to improve both their food and nutrition security," said Sara Osborne, Director of External Affairs for Safeway. "Providing the dignity of choice for participants to select produce that is aligned with their preference and culture is invaluable. We are thrilled that Coordinated Care has chosen to invest in and expand this program in Washington."
The Coordinated Care Harvest BucksTM program has local provider, Sea Mar Community Health Centers with locations in over 10 counties. Coordinated Care plans to expand across the state with more provider partners later this fall and into 2022.
For more information about the partnership and these programs, visit: www.coordinatedcarehealth.com/harvestbucks and www.doh.wa.gov/FVIP.
Contacts:
Leanne Sangster, Coordinated Care, MediaInquiries@CoordinatedCareHealth.com
Eloise-Rose Harris, Washington State Department of Health, DOH-PIO@doh.wa.gov
Sara Osborne, Safeway, sara.osborne@safeway.com