Healthy Food Access in Northeast Ohio

Healthy food access improves individual and community health. Programs are available to provide fruits and vegetables to all. Everyone can support these vital programs by shopping at farmers markets and grocery stores to support local farmers and businesses offering these vital services.

 SNAP and Produce Perks

By using SNAP benefits, you can receive Produce Perks to spend on fruits and vegetables! Workers will match every dollar you spend on your EBT card with Produce Perks. When you spend $10 using your EBT card, they will give you $10 in Produce Perks to spend on fruits and vegetables. They will match up to $20 a day. All SNAP users are able to get Produce Perks. Grocery stores and farmers markets that accept SNAP offer Produce Perks! Learn more about Produce Perks at produceperks.org. Learn more about SNAP benefits at odjfsbenefits.ohio.gov/.

 “Good Food Here”

Look for the “Good Food Here” logo at your local corner store! The program, supported by the Ohio Department of Health, shows the community that the store is selling fresh fruits and vegetables, cereals, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and fresh meats! By shopping there, you can support your community and get the fresh produce that you and your family need to stay healthy!

Produce Prescriptions and the Food Pharmacy – Cuyahoga County

Community clinics write Produce Prescriptions for pregnant women or people at risk for heart disease. The prescriptions are for $10 to spend on healthy food. Clinics participating are the Northeast Ohio Neighborhood Health Services (NEON) in Hough, Collinwood, and East Cleveland; Care Alliance Health Center and St. Vincent in Central; and Stephanie Tubbs Jones in East Cleveland. This program runs July-October. Check with your clinic in the spring to see if you qualify!

The Centers for Families and Children also prescribe clients healthy food. The prescription is then used at their food pharmacy for small produce bundles. Call 216.325.9355 to learn how to become a client and about their food pharmacy!

 If you believe your SNAP benefits have been wrongfully reduced or terminated, or if you do not have access to healthcare, call the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland at 1.888.817.3777 to apply for help.

This article was written by Megan Goedeker and appeared in The Alert: Volume 34, Issue 2