Food and Farm Council of Riley County and City of Manhattan
Healthy Food Prescription Program
What started as a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas Pathways to a Healthy Kansas implementation grant allowed the Food and Farm Council to build a creative solution to increase fruit and vegetable consumption for food insecure individuals and families. Healthy Food Rx. now operates as a scalable, demand-driven Food is Medicine program, with funding translating directly into increased access to fresh fruits and vegetables for program participants. Grant funds are used primarily to support produce vouchers, which are paired with partner matching dollars to maximize purchasing power and community impact. Community donations carry the program even further with $5/$25 voucher support!
The program, “Eat Your Colors”, provides food insecurity screening, shop/store/eat produce education, and offers high risk households $25 produce vouchers that can be redeemed at Hy-Vee or the Downtown Farmers Market of Manhattan.
Food Prescription Program Partners:
Cats’ Cupboard: The K-State Food Pantry
Konza Prairie Community Health Center of Manhattan
Lafene Health Center - Kansas State University
Pawnee Mental Health Adult Rehabilitation Program
Riley County Maternal and Child Health
Riley County Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Services
Food Prescription Program Match Support
Downtown Farmers Market of Manhattan
Hy-Vee
Impact
$25,000+ in fresh produce was purchased in 2025 through vouchers distributed by six partner agencies, supporting high-risk, food insecure households.
Testimonials
“I’ve gained confidence in attending and utilizing the farmers market because of this program and the chance to buy produce beyond what fit in my budget. “
Pawnee Adult Rehabilitation Program Client
“The voucher program is a great way to get more fruits and vegetables into the homes of food insecure and vulnerable populations – at WIC that would be the pregnant women we serve and their families. We love that this partnership and program also supports local producers and the local food system economy.”