Food As Medicine is an “umbrella” term that covers several more specific programs, including Prescription for Health and Fresh Food Access Program. The Food As Medicine programs are administered by the Upper Peninsula Commission on Area Progress (UPCAP) and a broad program overview is provided on the UPCAP website.
Prescription for Health
See the UP Matters website for an overview on this program. Some pertinent information for farmers market customers and vendors follows:
- Vouchers are provided to program participants and presented to participating vendors as payment. Each voucher is worth $5 and program enrollees receive $15 in vouchers per week. All vouchers expire on September 30, 2025.
- Vendors cannot make change for vouchers, so they will need to round down or add a small item to increase the value to $5.
- Vouchers CAN be used for fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs, and mushrooms.
- Vouchers CANNOT be used for eggs, meat, honey, bread, plant starts, and prepared foods.
- All produce must be grown by the participating farmer. Resellers are not allowed to accept the vouchers.
- Program participants may spend their vouchers at any of the participating markets in the U.P.
- Qualified participants receive a referral from a participating healthcare provider with a prescription for adding fresh fruits and vegetables to their diets. All referrals are processed through the 2-1-1 call center at UPCAP and, once the referral is received, potential participants are contacted by a trained call specialist to discuss the program and complete an enrollment.
Fresh Food Access Program (administered by UPCAP)
See the UPCAP website for an overview on this program. Some pertinent information for farmers market customers and vendors follows:
- Vouchers are provided to program participants and presented to participating vendors as payment. Each voucher is worth $5 and program enrollees receive $25 in vouchers per month. All vouchers expire on September 30, 2025.
- Vendors cannot make change for vouchers, so they will need to round down or add a small item to increase the value to $5.
- Vouchers can be used for eggs, maple syrup, honey, wild rice, dairy items, beef, pork, chicken, or fish.
- Program funding is provided by Food Bank Council of Michigan in partnership with UPCAP.
- Qualified participants receive a referral from a participating healthcare provider with a prescription for adding fresh fruits and vegetables to their diets. All referrals are processed through the 2-1-1 call center at UPCAP and, once the referral is received, potential participants are contacted by a trained call specialist to discuss the program and complete an enrollment.
Project Senior Fresh
The Senior Project Fresh program is aimed at helping older adults eat healthier as they age.
The program provides participants free nutrition education and $25 in coupons that can be exchanged for fresh fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods sold at local farmers’ markets and roadside stands. Please see the list of eligible items.
Residents who are aged 60 or older with a total household income of $27,861 or less for an individual, or $37,814 for a couple, are eligible to apply for the program.
Residents who are aged 55 or older who belong to a Michigan federally recognized tribe or urban tribal group are also eligible.
Applicants must live in the county where coupons are obtained. The program runs from May 1 to
October 31 each year.
If you think you are eligible and would like to participate in the program, please locate your county’s lead agency.
Dickinson County and Iron County
Elizabeth Hansen
MSU Extension
2801 US-2
Iron Mountain MI 49801
(906) 302-3253
hanse246@msu.education
Menominee County
Rebecca Thoune
MDS Community Action Agency
PO Box 102
Daggett, MI 49821
Phone: 906-753-6986
Email: bthoune@mdscaa.org