Platos De Bienestar: Healthy Plates Produce Rx

In partnership with the Live Oak Health Clinic we are piloting a program called Platos de Bienestar: Healthy Plates. This is a produce prescription program which uses whole, healthy foods to impact public health. The model has been gaining steam around the country for over 10 years. The goals of the Platos program are to increase wellness, food security and sense of community for participants. Program funding comes from the Central California Alliance for Health.

In 2023 60 individuals will be enrolled and set goals for healthy eating. The Platos program provides clients with a prescription to eat more fruits and vegetables. The prescription can be “filled” at the Live Oak Farmers’ Market on Sundays, weekly between June and November 2023. Patients receive $15 worth of tokens each time they visit the farmers market, a maximum of 20 visits over the six-month period and the tokens are to purchase fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and fruit/vegetable plants.

The market will also host a series of special events in partnership with the Live Oak Health Clinic, the Live Oak School District and the Santa Cruz Public Libraries. These events are on the third Sunday of each month beginning on June 18th and include bilingual story time, a market hunt with prizes, art making and food-focused activities including market tours and tastings. In addition, the clinic will host monthly health-related events for participants – those who attend receive an additional $10 in Platos tokens to be spent at the Live Oak Market.

The Platos program will expand to the Downtown Women’s Health Center Clinic and the Ben Lomond Clinic in 2024, partnering with the Downtown, Felton and Scotts Valley markets and enrolling 180 individuals that year. We’re so excited to be rolling out this public health model that acknowledges that food is medicine!

Contact Nicole with questions or for more information.