PPHI Nutrition Team

The MSU-Hurley Children's Hospital Pediatric Public Health Initiative's Nutrition team works with many partners to advocate for, implement, and assess pediatric nutrition interventions to improve nutrition access, education, and consumption. 

The PPHI Nutrition team's projects include:

  • Increasing community-wide breastfeeding initiatives
  • Flint Kids Cook
  • WIC co-location with Hurley Children's Center
  • Nutrition education (classes/RD)
  • Fruit and vegetable prescription program  
  • Double Up Food Bucks expansion
  • Mobile food access
  • Healthy Food for Healthy Families voucher program

 

Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program

What is the purpose of the program?

Funded by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund and Rite Aid Foundation and led by the PPHI nutrition team, the Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program aims to expand access to fresh fruits and vegetables for children living in Genesee County. By increasing the affordability of fresh produce and improving access to high-quality fruits and vegetables, children in the program are better able to meet the nutritional needs of their growing bodies and establish healthy eating patterns that will continue through adolescence and into adulthood. Early results of this project show that children who participate in the Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program increase their intake of fresh fruits and vegetables over time.

How does the program work?

The program provides one $15 prescription for fresh fruits and vegetables to every child at every visit to a participating clinic (Akpinar Children’s Clinic and Hurley Children’s Hospital).

Am I eligible to participate?

Currently, all patients at Akpinar Children’s Clinic and Hurley Children’s Hospital are eligible to receive prescriptions. Efforts are underway to establish funding that will support program expansion throughout Genesee County.

Where do I receive prescriptions?

Prescriptions are distributed at Akpinar Children’s Clinic and Hurley Children’s Hospital. Paper prescriptions are given out after all in-person appointments. Online (Order ID) prescriptions are distributed after telehealth appointments and can be accessed through the Hurley MyChart website (see How do I access my online (Order ID) prescriptions? for more details).

Do I still receive a prescription if I have a telehealth appointment?

Yes! At the end of your telehealth appointment, your Order ID will be read over the phone to you. You can then use this Order ID to place online orders at Flint Fresh Mobile Market. If you did not receive an Order ID over the phone or you would like to access it online, you can also find it on the Hurley MyChart website (see How do I access my online (Order ID) prescriptions? for more details).

How do I access my online (Order ID) prescriptions?

  1. Navigate to the Hurley MyChart website: https://mychart.hurleymc.com/mychart/ or use the MyChart App on smart devices.
  2. Log in to your account and go to the Visits tab. (Don’t have an account yet? See How do I create a Hurley MyChart account? for more details.)
  3. Find your Visit and Download the After Visit Summary (AVS).
  4. Scroll to the last page to find the Order ID (this is your online prescription).
  5. You can then use this Order ID when placing online orders at Flint Fresh Mobile Market. (see How do I redeem my prescriptions when placing an online order? for more details).

 How to access

Where can I redeem my prescriptions?

Both paper and online (Order ID) prescriptions may be redeemed for fresh fruits and vegetables at the Flint Farmer’s Market or Flint Fresh Mobile Market . Both vendors are accepting online orders at this time.

How do I redeem my prescriptions when placing an online order?

Orders can be placed at for the Flint Fresh Mobile Market or for the Flint Farmer’s Market. Both vendors accept paper prescriptions and online (Order ID) prescriptions.

How to redeem a prescription at Flint Fresh Mobile Market:

  1. Navigate to https://www.flintfresh.com/ to begin your order.
  2. Select your produce box size (Small a la Carte Box $15 or Large a la Carte Box $30).
  3. Choose fruits and vegetables for your box (3 fruits and 3 vegetables for Small a la Carte Box; 6 fruits and 6 vegetables for Large a la Carte Box).
  4. If you are using an online (Order ID) prescription, enter the Order ID under “Special instructions” before proceeding to checkout. If you are redeeming a paper prescription, simply proceed to checkout.
  5. Enter your contact information and select a Shipping Method. *Note: Home delivery is FREE in the City of Flint, Burton, Flint Township, Genesee Township, Mount Morris, Davison, and Grand Blanc when using your prescription. Orders may also be picked up from the Mobile Market for free.
  6. Select “Prescription for Health” for Payment. *Note: If you are redeeming a paper prescription, be sure to have it on hand to exchange for your order when it arrives at your home.
  7. Enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables!

How to redeem

Can I redeem expired prescriptions?

Yes! Due to COVID-19, the Flint Farmer’s Market and Flint Fresh Mobile Market are accepting expired prescriptions at this time – use any prescriptions that you may have.

How do I create a Hurley MyChart account?

There are several ways to create a MyChart account. Find the situation below that best matches you for further instructions.

I received an email from Hurley inviting me to activate my MyChart account

The easiest way to create an account is through an email invitation from the clinic. If you received an email with the subject “Activate your MyChart account to communicate with your health care team!” simply click on the active link provided in the email to activate your account. You will be asked to provide your zip code and date of birth when signing up. *Note: The link in the email is only valid for 24 hours!

I have an activation code to create a MyChart account

You can use this method if you have an activation code from the clinic to create a MyChart account. You may have received an activation code on your/your child’s After Visit Summary (AVS) or in a clinic printed letter. *Note: Your activation code is valid for 30 days, unless another code is generated using another activation method. To use the activation code:

  1. Go to https://mychart.hurleymc.com/mychart
  2. Click on the blue “Sign Up Now” button.
  3. Enter your Activation Code, date of birth, and zip code.
  4. You will then be prompted to create a user name and password to complete setting up your account.

I have not received an email invitation to create an account or an activation code

If you do not have an activation code, follow these instructions:

  1. Go to https://mychart.hurleymc.com/mychart
  2. Click on the blue “Sign Up Now” button.
  3. Under the words “No Activation Code?” press the blue “Sign Up Now” button to request a code. You will be prompted to enter more identifying information that will be sent to the clinic to confirm that you/your child are/is a patient. After submitting this information, please allow a few days for the clinic to process your request.
  4. You will then be prompted to create a user name and password to complete setting up your account.

How to create

What other programs are offered by the Nutrition team?

The Nutrition team also offers Flint Kids Cook, a free cooking class just for kids.  Classes are temporarily suspended at this time due to the coronavirus outbreak. For updates on the program, please follow Flint Kids Cook on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FlintKidsCook/

Where can I find more information?

Please contact us to learn more about the Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program. You may call Chantel Dawson at (810) 600-5670 or email dawson50@msu.edu. You can also follow us on Facebook at Flint Kids Cook for daily updates about nutrition programing and food resources.