STURGIS, S.D. – For many, a variety of illnesses sends them to a local physician for a prescription for medicine to help ease the symptoms of whatever ails them.
But there is another type of prescription now available.
South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension is introducing an innovative approach to health and local agriculture with the launch of Dakota Food Rx, a produce prescription program available in Sturgis and Spearfish. This program is designed to aid those facing food insecurity by providing them with fresh, locally sourced produce.
Supported by the South Dakota Community Foundation, Dakota Food Rx enables qualifying patients to receive prescriptions from health care providers. These are not typical prescriptions but can be exchanged for boxes of fresh produce from local farms involved in community-supported agriculture shares.
Patients interested in this program can apply by filling out a form on the Dakota Food Rx program page. SDSU Extension is seeking South Dakota produce growers who utilize community-supported agriculture, farmers’ markets, or other direct market channels to participate in this initiative starting in 2025.
Geb Bastian, an assistant professor and SDSU Extension Nutrition and Health Specialist, emphasized the benefits of such programs, stating, “Eating healthy is so expensive now. This program lets folks afford fresh, healthy food while also supporting our local growers.”
This statement highlights the dual benefits of Dakota Food Rx: improving diet-related health outcomes and supporting local agriculture.
The program addresses significant health issues linked to poor diet, such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, and aims to make healthy eating more accessible to the approximately 73,000 food-insecure residents of South Dakota.
By connecting patients with high-quality, nutritious food, Dakota Food Rx represents a important step toward a healthier, more sustainable community.
