Resources
Produce Prescription Descriptive Assessment and Cost Study
- A descriptive assessment and cost study was performed in early 2025 by Public Policy Associates on behalf of the Michigan Farmers Market Association and the Michigan Produce Prescription Coalitions to understand the true costs to administer and operate Produce Prescription programs in Michigan. [Published 2025]
Produce Prescription Statewide Learning Network Snapshot
- The Produce Prescription Statewide Learning Network Snapshot provides an overview of the Statewide Learning Network and outlines ways to get involved in the movement to advance Michigan Produce Prescription. [Published 2024]
Participant Voices of Michigan Produce Prescription Programs
- Participant testimonies highlight the impact this intervention has had on individuals across the state of Michigan. [Published 2023]
Produce Prescription Programs: Health Impacts of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption
- Public Sector Consultants examined the health impacts of fruit and vegetable consumption, potential healthcare cost savings from adequate consumption, the barriers to and possible cost benefits of increasing consumption, and the possible impact of Produce Prescription programs on fruit and vegetable consumption and overall health. [Published 2021]
- Public Sector Consultants analyzed the financial data collected from programs that operated between 2017 and 2021 to perform a descriptive assessment and examine the annual average cost per participant of Michigan Produce Prescription programs. [Published 2022]
- The Michigan Farmers Market Association developed this toolkit based on their experience implementing and facilitating a statewide Participant Advisory Council to honor the experience and voices of Michigan participants. This toolkit is intended to guide organizations through considerations when establishing their own Participant Advisory Councils, whether that be at a local or statewide level. [Published 2025]
State Policy & Sustainability
- National Produce Prescription Collaborative, Harvard Center for Health Law & Policy Innovation, and the Michigan Farmers Market Association collaborate to give a high-level overview of the various options policymakers have to leverage Produce Prescription to treat and prevent diet-related illness. [Published 2023]
- Public Policy Associates details the various options policymakers have to leverage the Produce Prescription model as a powerful response to healthcare’s increasing focus on addressing the social drivers of health, improving health outcomes, and decreasing long-term health care costs. [Published 2022]
Michigan Produce Prescription Coalitions Direct Efforts
- April 5, 2024 Michigan Farmers Market Association’s response to the previously open Request for Information on MDHHS Proposed Food and Nutrition ILOS. Sent on behalf of MI Produce Prescription Statewide Learning Network and includes support from Michigan Produce Prescription Steering Committee member organizations.
- February 20, 2024 Letter to MDHHS proposing the developing pre-approved In Lieu of Services (ILOS) list to include Food is Medicine programming, such as Produce Prescriptions
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has recognized the critical role of nutrition and its influence on health outcomes and health equity. To help advance Produce Prescription (PPR) programs in Michigan, MDHHS is in pursuit of an In Lieu of Services (ILOS) solution. Beginning January 2025, ILOS allows for Michigan Medicaid Health Plans (MHPs) participating in the Comprehensive Health Care Program to offer select food and nutrition supports, including PPR, to support eligible Medicaid beneficiaries’ health-related nutrition needs.
You may find more information about ILOS and supplemental MDHHS initiatives below:
- Includes state-published resources regarding ILOS, including the ILOS Final Policy Guidance.
- Includes funding and technical assistance opportunities regarding ILOS for local, community-based food and nutrition providers who have not traditionally delivered services within the Medicaid system.
ILOS Implementation Learning Collaborative
- Includes MDHHS presentation materials and future webinar signup links for MDHHS-led sessions fostering shared learning and support for ILOS implementation.
National Produce Prescription Collaborative
National Produce Prescription Collaborative
What is the National Produce Prescription Collaborative?
- The National Produce Prescription Collaborative (NPPC) is a coalition of member organizations including healthcare providers, community organizations, researchers, and policy advocates dedicated to advancing federal and state policy change that further embeds PPR into healthcare and food retail systems across the U.S. At the federal level, NPPC advocates for increased recognition and funding for PPR programs within federal agencies and programs, working with policymakers to incorporate PPR programs into Medicaid, Medicare and Medicare Advantage, Indian Health Services, Veterans Administration, and the Farm Bill through the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program. At the state level, NPPC supports state education, legislation and collaborative initiatives that supports the inclusion of PPR into state Medicaid programs. Through policy engagement, cross-sector partnerships, and technical assistance, NPPC aims to make PPR a sustainable component of healthcare and nutrition policy.
How does it impact Michigan PPR?
- As a member of the NPPC, the Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA) represents Michigan Produce Prescription programs by participating in relevant legislative and education activities, as well as working with NPPC when Michigan is in need of collective guidance or action to support Michigan PPR sustainable policies and practices.
Nutrition incentive hub
The Nutrition Incentive Hub created by the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information Center (NTAE)
What is GusNIP?
GusNIP is authorized under the 2018 Farm Bill to provide funding opportunities for Nutrition Incentive and Produce Prescription projects, providing incentives to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by low-income consumers. GusNIP grants bring together partners from various parts of the food and healthcare system to help improve the health and nutrition status of participating households, facilitate growth in states with low participation, as well as collect and aggregate data to identify and improve best practices on a broad scale
What is the Nutrition Incentive Hub?
- Led by the Center for Nutrition & Health Impact in partnership with Fair Food Network, University of California San Francisco and a coalition of partners including the National Grocers Association Foundation, Michigan Farmers Market Association and Food Trust, the Nutrition Incentive Hub has expertise in a multitude of areas, with presence across the nation.
- The Nutrition Incentive Hub provides training, technical assistance, reporting, and evaluation support to help strengthen Nutrition Incentive and PPR projects.
How does it impact Michigan Produce Prescription?
- GusNIP and the Nutrition Incentive Hub support PPR programs by providing opportunities for federal funding, resource access, technical assistance, and other supports to healthcare and community organizations implementing PPR programs. These supports are largely accessible to current Michigan Produce Prescription programs or organizations looking to implement. In fact, utilization of the Nutrition Incentive Hub encourages cross-sector and state conversations, bolstering the ‘national case’ for why PPR is a necessary and impactful investment.