Our Impact

Twice each month, Tammy and her brother Billy pick up a box of fresh produce through Southeast Missouri Food Bank’s Produce Prescription Program. The program, funded through a grant in partnership with Mercy Southeast, provides 10 to 15 pounds of fruits and vegetables, along with recipes and nutrition tips to help individuals living with chronic illness build healthier diets.

Their connection to the program began with their mother, who enrolled before she passed away. Now, the boxes help Tammy and Billy stretch their fixed incomes while keeping fresh food on the table.

“We went to the store and looked at produce, and I said, ‘We can’t afford a lot of this,’” Tammy said.

Both siblings are retired after decades of work — Tammy as a CNA for 39 years and in a hospital kitchen, and Billy after 20 years with the Department of Corrections. Even in retirement, Billy continues to work full time for a local company.

The produce boxes have become a regular part of their routine. Tammy especially enjoys cooking the vegetables they receive. “I like the squash and zucchini. I like the cabbage, too,” she said.

They’ve also tried recipes included with the boxes. “The potato patties are really good,” Tammy said. “You take leftover mashed potatoes, add egg, milk, flour and cornmeal, then fry them up in a hot skillet.”

The program doesn’t just provide fresh food: It’s helping them stay healthy, too. “When I went to the doctor, my bloodwork is starting to get better,” Billy said.

The Produce Prescription boxes give participants like Tammy and Billy consistent access to nutritious foods, helping them manage their health and maintain a sense of independence, all while stretching their monthly budgets.