In 2O19, Fresh Truck is expanding on a powerful new program to help us become more impactful, innovative, and sustainable. We call it FreshConnect. FreshConnect makes it possible for healthcare providers and other organizations invested in the health of communities to prescribe food as medicine. FreshConnect activates our Mobile Markets as food pharmacies, and we are generating data-driven insight into nutrition and health that can guide patient care. By creating a system for healthy food prescriptions, Fresh Truck is working to reduce the cost of fresh food for patients, make a direct connection between food and health, and improve the health of the Boston community.
To take FreshConnect to the next level, we’re bringing on Michael Lantow as our FreshConnect Program Director. Michael brings with him experience in food programming and healthcare innovation. “Iām thrilled to have the opportunity to work with healthcare providers to offer patients with healthy, affordable food. As someone who has a chronic disease, I intimately know the frustrations of searching for foods that make my body feel great while functioning to its full potential. I am committed to easing this experience for others.”
Foundations, corporate sponsors, donors, and healthcare institutions contribute to the FreshConnect Fund to cover the cost of food for their community of people. Our implementation partners enroll households who receive a smart FreshConnect card based on their financial and health needs. Shoppers use these cards on a weekly basis to buy healthy food from any of our mobile market sites. Our point-of-sale system tracks shopper data which stakeholders use to measure key health indicators among their community of FreshConnect shoppers.
Interested in getting involved in FreshConnect? Contact Michael Lantow at michael@thefreshtruck.org or (857) 256-0560.