June 6, 2023
Drs. Jennifer Lucarelli and Laurel Stevenson, faculty in the Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences in the School of Health Sciences at Oakland University, recently had the opportunity to meet with Senator Debbie Stabenow, Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA) staff, and other community partners to share their expertise and advocate for Produce Prescription Programs in Michigan and at the national level.
Sen. Stabenow’s work through the bipartisan 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills has improved food access and assistance for families across the nation, and established produce prescription programming at the federal level.
Drs. Lucarelli and Stevenson and community partners were recently awarded two major grants to advance produce prescription programs in Michigan — “Tech Rx: Increasing produce prescription program efficacy” supported by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, and a USDA Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program Produce Prescription Award. Both aim to improve efficacy, data collection and data sharing, and improve access to fresh fruits and vegetables for Michigan residents.