As the saying goes “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” A new program in Cochise County is testing that adage by writing prescriptions for fresh produce for qualifying patients.

The Cochise Produce Rx program is a pilot initiative in Cochise County, created by The Local Co-op, a farmer-operated cooperative dedicated to improving access and supporting local agriculture, and Benson Hospital. It provides eligible patients with diet-related health conditions, such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and depression, with weekly bags of fresh, locally grown produce, along with nutritional education and health monitoring.

When an eligible patient sees their provider, they are prescribed a “food as medicine plan.” They are given a $20 card weekly to purchase produce to help manage their health conditions. With the help of the University of Arizona, Benson Hospital tracks patient health data like BMI, blood pressure and A1C to measure the program’s effectiveness.

“Food is medicine,” said Cindy Tapia, a nurse practitioner at Benson Hospital. “When we give patients fresh, local produce and the knowledge to use it, we’re not just feeding them – we’re helping them heal.”

The program aims to not only improve the health of individuals, but also the community by supporting local farmers and making fresh food available to the public. The Cochise Mobile Market, run by The Local Co-op, is open to the public at Benson Hospital every Monday, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.