Our Program
The Three Pillars
Increasing Healthy Foods
Accessibility and affordability are major barriers to improving nutrition and health in rural communities. Many families live in areas with limited access to adequate fresh fruits and vegetables, or where produce is too expensive to fit within their budget.
To increase healthy food availability, PhytoRx Families provides rural eastern North Carolina adults with school-aged children 16-weeks of fresh locally-grown produce delivered to their homes (or a convenient community location) by regional food hub partners in eastern North Carolina.
By removing these barriers, participants can begin to unlock healthier eating habits, and explore new ways to incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables into their daily routine.
Participants can expect:
- Weekly home deliveries of fresh fruits and vegetables (feeds about a family of 4).
- Education and practice on how to incorporate fresh produce into daily meals via bi-weekly culinary-focused nutrition education classes.
- Resources and tools to support long-term healthy eating and lifestyle habits.
Inspiring Families
To inspire rural communities through PhytoRx Families, participants need the ability and confidence to prepare nutritious meals, while understanding the role fruits and vegetables play in overall health.
Our practice-tested 16-week nutrition/culinary education program consists of in-person 2-hour sessions every other week for the entire family, delivered by NC State Extension staff.
Teaching nutrition and culinary skills has a far-reaching impact on reducing diet-related chronic disease risk, creating healthy habits for children, and empowering family members with the confidence to consistently make healthy lifestyle choices.
Participants can expect:
- Consume the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables
- Cook more meals at home safely incorporating more fruits and vegetables
- Make informed nutrition decisions when planning and shopping for food that fits their budget
Overview of Program Topics:
Week 1
Welcome! Setting you up for success with goals.
Week 2
Eat your produce. Learn the health benefits of eating more fruits and vegetables.
Week 3
Cook if safe. Let’s talk about food safety and why it matters.
Week 4
The magic of movement and making smart drink choices.
Week 5
Know what’s for dinner. Learn to effectively plan balanced meals.
Week 6
Get the best for less. Save money and shop for the best value.
Week 7
Fix it Fast, Eat at Home. Enjoy healthy, delicious meals from your kitchen.
Week 8
Choosing a healthier you. Learn how to sustain your hard work.
Engaging Medical Providers
PhotoRx Families trains medical providers to deliver nutritional guidance. Our partners at NC State Plants for Human Health Institute have developed a virtual 4-hour self-paced nutrition education course, accessible via computer, phone, or tablet.
Medical providers will earn CME credits while learning about the science of nutrition, including phytochemicals (compounds in plant foods) that have demonstrated evidence to improve various chronic diseases, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The training will discuss topics around consuming more fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and heart healthy proteins, and review concepts of the Mediterranean style eating pattern.
The aim of this approach is to boost physician knowledge and provide them with a more comprehensive set of tools for effectively communicating with patients.
Medical Providers can expect to:
- Engage in a practice-tested nutrition training course adopted from NC State Extension taught by a Translational Nutrition Program Manager at NC State Plants for Human Health Institute
- Earn Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits to fulfill licensure requirements and enhance professional credentials
- Help patients achieve better health outcomes through nutrition advice and support
- Experience the rewarding impact of helping populations at high risk of food insecurity improve their health