Real Food, Real Results: Integrated Health Centers of West Virginia’s FARMacy Program is Transforming Health

By: Mary Spencer ​

When was the last time a trip to the doctor left you excited about fresh vegetables?

For more than 50 families in Ritchie and Doddridge counties, that’s exactly what happened in 2025. Through our FARMacy WV “Prescription for Produce” Program, participants were able to access fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, free kitchen tools with demonstrations, and the know-how to cook simple, nourishing meals their families can enjoy.

​The program has proven that a simple box of fresh produce can be the start of real healing.

Real People, Real Results

The Prescription for Produce Program is a 15-week “food as medicine” initiative for patients living with diet-related conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and high cholesterol. Instead of adding more medication, Integrated Health Centers of West Virginia providers prescribe weekly boxes of fresh produce along with nutrition education and cooking support.

The results speak for themselves:

After participating in the program, more families cooked dinner at home, and more people filled their plates with colorful salads and dark greens. Many participants experienced measurable improvements in their blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and weight, demonstrating the significant impact of healthy food on long-term health conditions.

​Real, measurable impact:

• Participants who eat fruits and vegetables daily increased:
  • Fruits: 22.91% increase
  • Colorful salad-type vegetables: 4.25% increase
  • Dark green vegetables: 12.77% increase
• The number of participants with a blood pressure in hypertension range decreased from 38 to 29.
• 66.7% of participants lost weight

​Our favorite part? More than 75% of participants said they’d do it again, and 80% said they would recommend it to family and friends.

​Growing Health in Rural West Virginia
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FARMacy WV first began serving Ritchie County residents in 2021 and has grown to include the Doddridge County community, as well. The program focuses on patients who are food-insecure and insured through Medicare. Many of the participants are retired adults living on limited incomes and struggle to keep up with the rising cost of fresh produce.

IHCWV partnered with local markets such as Lakeview Market in Ritchie County and Route 18 Market in Doddridge County to supply the fruits and vegetables. The strategic partnerships ensure that donor dollars stay close to home and support our regional food economy. It’s neighbors helping neighbors, every step of the way.

We Need Your Help!

This is where our community comes in: the original grant that launched FARMacy WV at IHCWV has come to an end. We need continued funding to keep the program going into the 2026 season. With limited funding, we hope to welcome at least 20 participants into the upcoming program, set to begin June 1, 2026. However, we need help raising the funds to support the program.

A gift of $600 sponsors a full season for one participant. We have several giving levels available to accommodate all budgets. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps sustain the weekly produce boxes, education sessions, and supportive community that make FARMacy so effective.

If you are a local business owner, church leader, farmer, or community member, your partnership can keep healthy food within reach for families across Ritchie, Doddridge, Pleasants, and Wood Counties.

​To learn more about sponsorship levels, make a donation, or explore volunteer and partnership opportunities, visit the IHCWV FARMacy donation page or contact IHCWV. Together, this community can ensure that rural West Virginia families do not just have food, but they have the kind of nourishment that heals, connects, and lasts.

​About Mary Spencer:
Mary Spencer, RN, is a Chronic Care and Clinical Data Coordinator with Integrated Health Centers of West Virginia and has been a dedicated member of the organization for more than 30 years. In addition to coordinating special initiatives, Mary plays a key role in supporting clinical quality, accurate documentation, and regulatory compliance across the organization. Passionate about lifelong learning and community-based care, she takes pride in helping patients manage chronic conditions through education, compassion, and a commitment to high-quality primary care.