Pilot Produce Prescription Changing Veteran Lives for the Better
Army Veteran Herman Johnson has struggled with his weight for years. His health suffered, his mobility suffered and even his relationships suffered.
Last year, however, Johnson’s life began to change when he enrolled in a pilot program at the Houston VA, aimed at increasing healthy food access and improving health outcomes for Veterans. The program, called Food is Medicine, is a produce prescription program. Veteran participants receive $100 on a Fresh Connect Card for 12 months to purchase fresh produce. They also receive nutrition education and ongoing coaching. Johnson, a longtime VA patient, says he is seeing better results than he could have ever dreamed of since enrolling in the program last February.
“I have lost 35 pounds and gained a whole new perspective on eating,” Johnson said. “Before getting the Fresh Connect Card, I wasn’t going to spend my money on vegetables…I was more into soul food. Once I started eating the fresh produce on the program, I became much more open-minded about changing my eating habits. I am now hooked on greens and other healthy food and have even taken up juicing.”
The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston was chosen as one of two sites nationwide to pilot the Food is Medicine Program through a partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Rockefeller Foundation. Almost 250 Veterans are enrolled in the program at Houston VA and the initial results are very positive.
“Over the past six months, we have seen Veterans in the Food is Medicine Program, just blossom,” said Amanda Slover, RD, Houston VA’s assistant chief of nutrition. “They are losing weight and seem very open to making dietary changes and improving their health. Some of the Veterans, including Mr. Johnson, have even started gardens in their backyards so they can grow their own produce.”
Johnson says the Food is Medicine program has done more than help him lose weight…it has helped improve his life. As a facilitator in a prison ministry, an active volunteer, and a grandfather and great-grandfather, he is often out and about in the community.
“I am much more active now and I just feel better overall,” he said. “I’m now eating to live, rather than living so I can eat. Who knew that I would learn to love beets? ”
Johnson’s VA primary care physician Dr. Zachary Decatur, was also impressed with the results of the program.
“Mr. Johnson’s healthy eating is really paying off for him,” Decatur said. “His overall health, including weight, blood pressure, and blood sugars, are improving. It’s really great to see him take charge of his health and get such great results.”
VA has done extensive research on the topic of Veterans and obesity. One study reported 86% were overweight or obese at their first visit to a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) clinician, while another showed the prevalence of diabetes is at least 5% higher among U.S. Veterans than the general population. Expanding Food is Medicine programs at VA will address the impact of diet-related disease and food insecurity among Veterans, while evaluating their impact for building the case to embed these programs into a fully integrated healthcare delivery system.
“At VA, we know comprehensive and innovative nutrition programs like Food is Medicine help Veterans maintain healthy lives and achieve food security,” Slover said. “We are committed to going above and beyond to care for our Veterans and helping them create healthy habits. This is a powerful way for us to address our Veterans’ through a whole health lens.”
According to Johnson, his health journey is far from over. He wants to achieve a healthy BMI by his 65th birthday and is now eating a mostly plant-based diet. “I still have a little weight to lose and I’m not going to stop,” he said. “My knees are feeling better and I’m having fun gardening and learning more about healthy eating. I’m very grateful.”