What they do: FreshRx Oklahoma provides low-income type 2 diabetes patients who have especially high A1C levels with free boxes of produce every two weeks for a year. The program serves predominantly Black and Native American residents. Participants are also given tablets loaded with cooking classes and nutrition education videos that do not require a Wi-Fi connection to access. Recipes are provided along with the produce boxes to give participants ideas about how to use the ingredients.
How they do it: FreshRx partners with six health clinics in Tulsa and 12 local farmers to provide fresh produce to diabetic patients in the North Tulsa food desert. Participants may be referred to the program by their physician, but self-referrals are also accepted. Patients must submit an application to be accepted into the program. They accepted 50 participants in 2021 and 100 in 2022. Their goal is to reach 150 participants in 2023.
Participants pick up their produce boxes every other Wednesday between 9am and 11am at a pop-up farmers market.
Every three months, they meet with their provider to measure and track progress in their A1C levels, weight, and blood pressure.
After completing the 12-month program, those who demonstrated compliance and success have the option of re-enrolling.
Mission: To provide access to nutrient-dense, locally-grown produce that helps participants manage their diabetes.
Major Funding: USDA GusNIP Produce Prescription Grant, Ascension St. John Foundation, MorningCrest Healthcare Foundation, and Zarrow Commemoration Fund
Profit/nonprofit: Nonprofit
Annual Budget: $500,000
Interesting fact about how it is working to positively affect health: FreshRx Oklahoma has helped diabetes patients learn how to prepare and eat healthy meals, lose weight, and reduce A1C levels while also supporting local farmers. During its first year, the program is estimated to have saved the state of Oklahoma $750,000 in healthcare costs.
FACT SHEET:
Distribution and Education Site:
Tulsa Health Department North Regional Health and Wellness Center
635 M.L.K. Jr Blvd
Tulsa, OK 74126
Partnered Clinics:
Crossover Health Services
940 E 36th St N
Tulsa, OK 74106
Good Samaritan at the Tulsa Dream Center
200 W 46th St North
Tulsa, OK 74126
Community Health Connection
2321 East 3rd Street
Tulsa, OK 74104-3327
Oak Street Clinic
1538 N Lewis Ave
Tulsa, OK 74110
Indian Health Care Resource Center
550 S Peoria Ave
Tulsa, OK 74120
Morton Comprehensive Health Services
11511 E 21st St
Tulsa, OK 74129
Core Programs: Produce prescription program
Number of staff: 5
Number of volunteers: 10
Areas served: North Tulsa, OK
Year Started: 2021
Director: Erin Martin, MASM
Contact Information: Email: info@freshrxok.org, Phone: (918)-221-3735
Learn More:
- Free, Fresh & Local: New Program Serving Food, Education to Tulsans with Type 2 Diabetes (News on 6)
- FreshRx Oklahoma (FreshRx Oklahoma)
- New Program Helps Provide Fresh Produce to Tulsa Families with Type 2 Diabetes (News on 6)
- North Tulsa Food is Medicine Program Celebrates First Year Helping Diabetics Improve their Health (Tulsa World)
- Tulsa Area Farmers Working Hard to Provide Fresh Produce for Those in Need (News on 6)
Photo Credit: Nicol Ragland
