Will Ballwin and Ellisville be Inspired to Prescribe Produce?

Doctors in several states are targeting obesity in children in the hopes of preventing dangers associated with the condition such as diabetes and even heart attacks from occurring.

Pediatricians in California are leading a study in which, in addition to receiving nutritional advice, children who are overweight or at risk of obesity are prescribed servings of fruits or vegetables, according to an article in The Bay Citizen. The hospital program also required vegetable preparation classes for participants to better equip them to use their new foodstuffs. 

Similar programs exist in places such as Massachusetts and Maine. The Massachusetts program, for example, as covered in The New York Times last August, incorporates the local farmers market to pack both an economic and nutrititive punch. To help make that happen, lower income participants were given vouchers redeemable for fruits and vegetables as part of their prescriptions.

Megan Donovan, Senior Media Relations/Project Manager at St. Luke's Hospital, was unaware of any local programs that are comparable. She did say that St. Luke's offers nutritional advice and guidelines on their website.

This may not be surprising, since the programs are typically small and in fledgling stages. But if Holyoke, MA can do it, why can't Ballwin or Ellisville?

At the hands of Rene and George Sackett, Ellisville Farmers' Market, we may be pretty close. 

"George and I have been quite interested in getting information about the EBT [Electronic Benefits Transfer card] programs that some farmers' markets around the country have been using," Rene Sackett said. "When we visit a market that has implemented the EBT machines we have inquired about the program with the market masters."

EBT cards are the currency of SNAP, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which helps lower income families purchase food.

The Sacketts have been working with other area stakeholders on a St. Louis Farmers' Market Association so that such programs will be more feasible with group resources. 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, population below poverty in Ballwin at 2.9 percent. However, the state poverty level has increased by at least 3 times in the last 10 years, and a prescription produce program may be a boon to our local market. 

Kathy Kerlagon, Ward 4 Alderman for the City of Ballwin, sees that potential. 

"I am not a nutritionist, dietician nor a doctor, but as someone who is a believer in capitalism it is good to see small farmers compete with large grocery stores and how they are able to differentiate the perception of their products," Kerlagon said.

Overall, Sackett sees the availability of healthy food choice in our area as a blessing, citing not only the farmers' market but also the walking-distance stores.

"The local farmer's market is a great place to get local and seasonal produce, much of it certified naturally grown and organic," said Sackett. "Having so many local grocery stores and the farmers' market for our families to shop at is such a great asset."

And it may be a prescribed asset to those who struggle with health issues, soon.