Food As Medicine Program

To be eligible for the Food as Medicine program, you must answer "yes" to at least two of the following three questions. This ensures the program supports those who will benefit the most from improved access to nutritious foods.

1. Do you have a chronic health condition, or are you at risk of developing one?
2. Is there food insecurity in your home?
3. Is your income at or below 200% of the federal poverty line?

Chronic health conditions include, but are not limited to, hypertension, diabetes, prediabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, cancer, COPD, or chronic kidney or liver disease.

Getting started with the program is simple and involves the help of your healthcare provider. Follow these steps:

• Consult Your Provider or the Patient Navigator: Talk with your healthcare provider at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital during your next visit or contact our Patient Navigator, Jessica Baker, to enroll.
• Complete Referral Form: Your provider or the Patient Navigator will fill out a Practitioner Referral Form on your behalf.
• Sign the Release: Sign the Participant Release form to consent to your participation.
• Submission: Our Patient Navigator will forward the documents to UPCAP for final processing. UPCAP will then reach out for an intake interview with the Patient via phone.

Getting started with the program is simple and involves the help of your healthcare provider. Follow these steps:

1. Consult Your Provider: Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital or bring up the program during your next visit.
2. Complete Referral Form: Your provider will fill out a Practitioner Referral Form on your behalf.
3. Sign the Release: Sign the Participant Release form to consent to your participation.
4. Submission: Your provider will send the completed referral and signed release to our Patient Navigator, who will forward the documents to UPCAP for final processing.

Once enrolled, the program is designed to be simple and beneficial for you and your family.

• Receive Vouchers: You will receive $15 worth of vouchers each week, mailed monthly in $60 packets with individual $5 vouchers. Limit is one her household and must be 18 and up to qualify.

• Shop Locally: Spend your vouchers at any of the 30 participating farmers' markets across the Upper Peninsula.

• Program Timeline:

• • Vouchers for the current season expire on Sept 30, 2026. Use them any time before this date during the market season. You don’t need to spend them month-to-month.

• • Participants enrolling by July 31, 2026, will receive the full number of vouchers for the season.

• • If you enroll after August 1, 2026, you will be registered but will not receive vouchers until the following spring.

• Educational Support: Each month, you will receive educational materials with your vouchers, including healthy recipes, food tips, and storage advice.

At Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital, we believe that small changes in nutrition can lead to significant improvements in health. If you have questions or would like to learn more about the program, please speak with your primary care provider or call Jessica Baker, Patient Navigator, at (906) 341-3750 today. Let’s work together to build a healthier community!