What if your next prescription came in a box of fresh, local produce?

A recent study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine offers a powerful glimpse into that possibility, and The Produce Box was proud to play a vital role in making it happen.

Fresh Food Rx was a 12-month produce prescription program serving individuals in Forsyth County, NC. In collaboration with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and the YMCA of Northwest NC, The Produce Box delivered weekly boxes of regionally sourced produce to over 100 participants experiencing food insecurity and managing chronic health conditions.

The study offers compelling evidence that produce prescriptions are more than a trend—they’re an effective, low-cost way to improve physical and mental well-being. As healthcare systems increasingly look to treat root causes rather than symptoms, fresh food is emerging as one of the most powerful (and overlooked) tools in preventive care.

At The Produce Box, we’ve always believed this to be true: food is medicine. And when it’s grown nearby and delivered with care, its impact goes far beyond the plate.

Food Is Medicine....And Motivation

Over the course of the study, participants received a curated box of local fruits and vegetables each week sourced, packed, and delivered to their home by The Produce Box. We worked with our farm partners to create high value boxes featuring a nutritious variety of fruits and veggies, with contents shifting and reflecting the seasons. Atrium Health and the YMCA provided personalized nutrition coaching and community-based education for participants. As you might expect, many participants reported physical health improvements, increased energy, and greater confidence in the kitchen. One participant shared:

“Because of losing some of the weight, the knee pain, the joint pain—I don’t have that like I used to. I just feel more energetic.”

But the impact went far beyond physical health. As one participant reflected:

“Before, I was just lying in bed… I wanted to do nothing. Now I feel more motivated. I think the program works wonders. You change your life. It changes your life."

From Surviving to Thriving

These boxes became more than nourishment. They became sources of inspiration, healing, and

“It helped me be more aware of what I’m eating. It encouraged me to try new recipes, to do things I wouldn’t even do.”

Even children and grandchildren joined the journey:

“My daughter… was real encouraged to try new things instead of having the same old stuff.”

Food has always been about more than fuel. In many households, these boxes became the heartbeat of daily life as seasonal produce was turned into meals and shared memories.

A Support System in Every Delivery

Each delivery did more than stock a fridge—it reminded participants they were cared for. The study found that relationships with dietitians, community educators, and fellow participants further deepened engagement.

“That box is helping me a whole lot. That’s the mental part—not worrying about having and not having.”

And for many, it opened the door to community:

“I like connecting with other people. I might meet a buddy who wants to exercise with me… I want to make friends with the same frame of mind.”

Our Role: The Quiet Backbone of Change

At The Produce Box, our team worked behind the scenes to source, pack, and deliver over a year of regionally grown produce for this project. It was an honor to support a healing intervention powered by local farms, heartfelt coaching, and a commitment to dignity. This program underscores what we believe in: fresh food is foundational, and community-based partnerships are key to lasting health. And, it takes a village! The teams at Atrium Health and YMCA put in so much work to make sure that study participants were not only enrolled, but seen and heard. These heart to heart connections are deeply healing beyond the nutritional impact of fresh food. With local produce and community connection at the center, participants experienced a real, lasting shift in their lives. And you can too!

Why This Matters to You

When you shop with The Produce Box, you’re investing in more than your own health. You’re sustaining a food system that nourishes the vulnerable, uplifts local farmers, and closes the gap between access and abundance. You’re helping write a new story about what’s possible when local food meets community care.

We are hopeful that the healthcare space will continue to invest in evidence-based wellness initiatives like Produce Prescriptions that actually lower healthcare costs while improving quality of life. In the meantime, you can experience the benefits of year-round access to fresh, local produce by subscribing to one of our farm boxes! In doing so, you'll enjoy the same variety, quality, and nourishment that participants in the Fresh Food Rx program did. As one participant shared:

"The thing I like about this program is that it offers food from different parts of this state and [with] a climate as diverse as this you can get all different kinds of things during the year.

If this study proves anything, it's that fresh produce really does have the power to change your life one box at a time.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we are building a better way to eat that’s rooted in equity, connection, and the simple power of a good meal.