DETROIT, Mich. – Detroit residents now have greater access to fresh, heart-healthy foods and essential hypertension management resources, thanks to an initiative by CHASS (Community Health and Social Services) Center that aims to reduce chronic disease disparities among underserved populations.
CHASS Center, a federally qualified health center serving approximately 10,000 individuals annually, is a cornerstone of healthcare in Detroit, where 95% of patients live at or below the federal poverty level. With a diverse patient population—73% of whom require language support, primarily in Spanish—CHASS provides medical and dental care, behavioral health services, pharmacy access, and social support, regardless of a patient’s insurance status.
“Heart disease disproportionately affects our community, and access to nutritious foods is a critical part of addressing this challenge,” said Felix M. Valbuena, Jr., MD, DABFM, FAAFP, Chief Executive Officer of CHASS Center. “By integrating fresh produce into our hypertension care program, we are equipping our patients with the resources and knowledge they need to take control of their health, all while strengthening our ability to create sustainable health improvements for those at highest risk.”
Through a grant from the American Heart Association’s Collaboration for Equitable Health, CHASS Center launched a pilot program in 2024 integrating Community Health Workers into its Self-Measured Blood Pressure Monitoring and Fresh Prescription (FreshRx) programs. This initiative focused on improving hypertension care by combining health education, nutrition support, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Participants in the pilot program received support for managing blood pressure, personal blood pressure monitors, and enrollment in their FreshRx program, which provides consistent access to fresh produce.
The FreshRx produce prescription program brings together healthcare and food system partners in Detroit, empowering participants to make lasting, positive changes to their diet and overall health. Participants receive either a $15 farmer’s market voucher or a delivered fresh produce box valued at $25 each week for six weeks, ensuring steady access to heart-healthy fruits and vegetables. Alongside the produce, participants receive culturally relevant recipes and nutrition education tailored to their dietary needs.
Programs like FreshRx are supported by the Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA) and its Produce Prescription (PPR) Coalitions as well as the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (HDSP) Unit. Programs such as these play a vital role in expanding access to nutritious foods. PPR programs are evidence-based interventions that are part of the Food is Medicine movement, designed to connect patients with fresh produce through healthcare-community partnerships and have been shown to improve diet-related health outcomes.
“A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables can help lower blood pressure. Produce Prescription Programs can increase accessibility to affordable fruits and vegetables, especially for those who have cardiovascular disease, including hypertension and high blood cholesterol, and who have limited access to nutritious food,” said Karen Pratt, public health consultant in the MDHHS Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Unit.
The FreshRx program also fosters community engagement by connecting participants with local farmers and markets, supporting local agriculture while strengthening social networks. Many CHASS patients face food insecurity, and initiatives like FreshRx help bridge the gap by making heart-healthy nutrition both accessible and culturally relevant.
To learn more about CHASS and the FreshRx program, visit www.chasscenter.org. To locate a PPR program in your community, visit the MIFMA website.