More DC Kids Will Have Access To Healthy Foods As ‘Food Pharmacy’ Expands

Amerigroup, a health care company, has donated $1 million to a program in Washington D.C. that provides families with access to healthy food.

According to WTOP, Through the program, families can pick up groceries recommended by their physician at a “food pharmacy” located at the their doctor’s office after appointments. The donation more than doubles the number of family’s who can be helped, which right now is about 120.

The program also provides nutritionists to help families learn how to make the food taste well. Amerigroup’s research shows rates of type 2 diabetes and prediabetes in children have been rapidly increasing in the last few years, partly as a consequence of the childhood obesity epidemic and lack of access to healthy fruits and vegetables.