FreshRx 'Food is Medicine' program aims to help north Tulsans with diabetes
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — "We know that in Tulsa county the life expectancy of someone living in south Tulsa is roughly 10 and a half to 11 years longer than someone living in north Tulsa,” said Councilor Vanessa Hall-Harper of district one.
North Tulsans say they lack access to healthy fruits and vegetables, it’s one of the many issues contributing to that statistic from district one councilor Vanessa Hall-Harper.
Councilor Hall-Harper added that diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in Tulsa County.
That’s exactly what the FreshRX food is medicine program hopes to combat.
“Today’s kick-off of the FreshRX food is medicine program is as they say just what the doctor ordered,” said Vanessa Hall-Harper.
Dunbar brown is set up to receive the fresh fruits and vegetables provided through the program.
“It feels great to know that you’ve got fresh vegetables and fruit coming in and it should change the way people eat to have these fresh vegetables and fruits,” said Dunbar Brown, a Freshrx recipient.
The boxes will be provided for free to 50 north Tulsans with diabetes or high a1c for a year.
Brown has been diabetic for 27 years himself and hopes the fresh food helps.
"Just losing weight, eating the right foods, passing up donut shops and stuff like that should help quite a bit,” said Brown.
The recipients will also be taking cooking and nutritional classes.
