‘Farmacy’ program notches 10 years

The Vermont Farmers Food Center (VFFC), Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC), and Community Health Clinics of the Rutland Region (Community Health) are celebrating the Farmacy Project’s 10th year this month.

Farmacy, which began at VFFC as Health Care Shares, is a produce prescription program that provides fresh locally grown produce to people facing chronic diet-related health conditions. The program was launched in 2015 with a grant from RRMC’s Bowse Health Trust grant to support this community model intersecting healthcare and local agriculture. 

Farmacy participants receive bags, also known as shares, of fresh locally grown produce for 15 weeks, along with recipes and nutritional information. For 2024, the program enrolled 225 members and families and is working with 12 farms. Most are small-scale farms operated by new and beginning farmers to support agricultural and economic viability of the area.

Over the past 10 years, Farmacy has generated over $324,000 in revenue for its farmers and partnered with over 25 healthcare clinics and community organizations for referrals and distribution to 10 different sites throughout the county. Over 3,600 Rutland residents have received produce at no cost during the Vermont growing season.

For this celebratory year, RRMC will make a charitable contribution in support of 10 years of Farmacy. Another long-term Farmacy partner, Community Health, is providing reusable bags and financially sponsoring 125 of their referred patients while coordinating with VFFC drop-off at four Community Health clinics throughout Rutland County.

Farmacy operates solely from foundational grants, sponsorships, private donations, and dedicated community volunteers. 

For more information, visit: vermontfarmersfoodcenter.org/farmacy_project.