City Expands 'Farm To Pharmacy' Program On UWS

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — The city is expanding a program that gives low-income New Yorkers suffering from high blood pressure access to healthy fruits and vegetables to Upper West Side pharmacies, the city Health Department announced.

The two pharmacies — New Amsterdam Drug Mart at 698 Amsterdam Ave. and Quick RX UWS at 909 Columbus Ave. — are part of a network of 16 pharmacies that issue "health bucks" to low-income New Yorkers through the city's "Pharmacy to Farm" prescriptions program. New Yorkers suffering from high blood pressure at give $30 in "health bucks" per month that can be spent on produce at farmers markets located throughout the city.

The city launched its "Pharmacy to Farm" program in 2017 and it has quickly grown from 3 pharmacies to 16. The majority of the program's participants are worried about having enough food month-to-month and 80% said that fruits and vegetables cost too much, according to data collected by the city Health Department.

"The food we eat really can change our health. That’s what makes it so unjust that people’s access to healthy food is influenced by their income," Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. "We’re making it easier for New Yorkers who need it most to afford more fresh produce. This is good for New Yorkers’ wallets and good for their health."

More than $80,000 has been distributed to 850 New Yorkers since "Pharmacy to Farm" was launched in 2017, city officials said. Recipients of the program must also receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and fill a prescription for high blood pressure medication at a partnering pharmacy to qualify.

Eating fruits and vegetables every day can reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer, health officials said. One in four adults suffers from high blood pressure, which is a risk factor for heart disease.