Doctors Can Now Prescribe Free Fruits & Vegetables With New Debit Card

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An apple a day keeps the doctor away, goes the famous saying. But what happens when someone can’t afford to have their fridge stocked up with produce? Doctors in Boston can now prescribe patients suffering from eating disorders or illnesses such as diabetes with a debit card that can get them free fruits and vegetables. The card, called ‘Fresh Connect’, can be used at designated stores in Massachusetts to offset payment for produce. The team behind such a venture is About Fresh, which first started as a grassroots organization that handed out food in Boston. However, the company wanted to scale up access to healthy produce as food stamps were not working well enough in helping people afford the right types of groceries.

Instead of relying on coupons, patients can swipe the card at checkout, and Fresh Connect can immediately scan for fruits and vegetables to cover the cost. After which, the customers can pay for the remainder of the bill. The amount available for subsidies depends on each provider, but it is usually around US$100 a month.

Users can utilize the card in places such as Shop & Shop in Boston, farmer’s markets, restaurants, and online grocery shopping. 

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