A newly released report from the Farm to Plate Network celebrates the unique role CSAs play at the intersection of local food and health in Vermont. The “2023 Data Report: Farm to Plate CSA & Healthcare Community of Practice” details the impact of five Healthcare CSA programs. It also demonstrates how individual programs fit into a broader network.

VYCC’s Health Care Share project is an integral part of this network and this report. The Health Care Share connects Vermonters with fresh, local food through their health care provider. 

VYCC partners with 11 medical centers to identify and enroll patients experiencing food insecurity and/or diet-related illness. Each week, households pick up a hearty box full of vegetables, at their doctor’s office. Some weeks include meat, eggs, and local products like cheese and flour. The program is funded by medical centers, farm stand sales, sponsoring businesses, and generous community support.

VYCC’s Health Care Share is the largest prescription vegetable program in Vermont. Among five programs, VYCC reaches more than half of all households served, operating in five of the eight counties served.

According to the Farm to Plate Network report:

• 74% of participants screened positive for food insecurity. 
• Cardiovascular risk factors were cited as the top conditions for program referral. 
• Family members served by the programs ranged in age from 1 to 94. 
• Participants of all five programs reported increased fruit and vegetable consumption.

The Health Care Share provides paid jobs and hands-on training for young people interested in contributing directly to Vermont’s agricultural future and sustainable food system.  

As part of VYCC’s Food & Farm Program, crews of young people grow organically certified vegetables and raise chickens for meat and eggs. They learn how to care for soil, crops, and animals; use a variety of tools and farming techniques; harvest and prepare produce; and pack and deliver share boxes. The majority of the food grown at VYCC is distributed to the community though Health Care Shares, with surplus available for sale to the public at the farm stand on the VYCC campus.

This year’s Health Care Shares began June 20 and go out every Thursday to 450 Vermont households in Richmond, Barre, Berlin, Burlington, Montpelier, Newport, Northfield, Saint Johnsbury, Waterbury, and White River Junction, plus Littleton, NH.

Check out the full 2023 Data Report on Farm to Plate CSA and Healthcare Community of Practice:

If you’d like to get a closer look at the Farm at VYCC and taste some of our homegrown produce yourself, join us at an upcoming event at the farm! Space is limited—register soon!

Open Farms Week lunch and farm tour

August 8
Learn more and register

Harvest Dinner

October 10
Learn more and register