Food Access
Fruit & Vegetable Prescription Program
(Support for Navajo FVRx is provided by grants from Arizona First Things First, the Rx Foundation, and
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
The Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program (FVRx) is an innovative program that partners with healthcare providers and local retailers to promote healthy eating. Here’s how it works: Clinic providers and community health workers identify families in local communities and invite them to participate. Families meet with a community outreach worker each month to learn about healthy habits. They get a monthly prescription (voucher) to buy fruits and vegetables at local stores on Navajo Nation. Participating stores are encouraged to offer a variety of fruits and vegetables, including locally-grown produce from Navajo farmers.
Look for participating FVRx retailers in the following locations:
Arizona
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Chinle Bashas
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Dilkon Bashas
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Pinon Bashas
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Red Mesa Sinclair (Red Mesa)
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Sanders Bashas
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Sawmill Red Mesa Express
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Simpson's Market (Cameron)
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Teec Nos Pos Trading Post
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Tonalea Express
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Totsoh Trading Post
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Tsaile Alon
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Window Rock Bashas
New Mexico
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Counselor Stop & Go
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Crownpoint Bashas
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Mickey's Save-Way Market (Cuba)
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Pine Hill Market (Ramah)
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Shiprock Bashas
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T&R Market (Gallup)
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Torreon Red Mesa Express
Utah
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Aneth Red Mesa Express
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Gouldings Grocery Store
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Montezuma Creek Red Mesa Express
Check out our playlist on YouTube showcasing healthy and delicious recipes, as well as, traditional Navajo Recipes.
For questions about the FVRx program, please contact fvrx@copeprogram.org
Providers: To access additional FVRx resources, click here
Healthy Store Initiative
The Healthy Navajo Stores Initiative is working to harness the potential of small stores in Navajo Nation. These stores, ranging from convenience stores to trading posts, are often the most readily accessible source of food for community members on Navajo Nation. The Healthy Navajo Stores Initiative (HNSI) aims to increase the amounts of fruits, vegetables, and traditional Diné foods that are offered in small stores on Navajo Nation. By promoting produce and traditional Diné foods through stocking, display, and promotional changes, a Healthy Navajo Store can provide community members with healthier food options and become leaders in the effort to reclaim a healthier Navajo Nation. HNSI is facilitated by COPE and works closely with store and community partners to identify stocking and marketing changes, as well as community initiatives.
Growers Initiative
The Growers Initiative (G.I.) is designed to connect local growers with markets. The purpose of the project includes traditional and sustainable growing practices within Navajo communities. In order, to reintroduce sustainable food systems, we need to understand our local food production. This allows local producers to lead their communities into a healthy environment and healthier life choice. This project will enable growers to access markets, and revitalize the center piece of Navajo culture, the growth of our own food systems.
Growers Blog: From Our Garden To Yours
Food and Water Policy
COPE promotes access to healthy foods and beverages in Navajo Nation by increasing community awareness of Navajo food policy and food traditions. We are focused on a range of efforts, including supporting the formation of local and regional Food Policy Councils & Wellness Councils, connecting community members on Diné Food Traditions and Farm to School initiatives, and mentoring high school youth on food literacy and communications. Our “Water First!” campaign, funded by the NB3 Foundation, promotes increased consumption of safe drinking water instead of sugar sweetened beverages, and includes steps to increase access to safe drinking water among Navajo families with preschool children and empower these families to shift toward healthier choices to help overcome obesity. Read more about Water First!.
Additionally, the Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic, coalition partners, and COPE Program collaborated to launch “Good Laws, Good Food: Putting Food Policy to Work in the Navajo Nation.” This policy toolkit provides community food advocates and government officials an overview of food laws and policies that impact the food environment in the Navajo Nation. With the partnership of New Mexico Farm to Table, a report on "Farm to School on Navajo Nation" was developed as another resource. COPE continues to work in partnership with Navajo tribal leaders and grassroots community groups on food security and drinking water policy. Read more about the Food Law and Policy Clinic.
Happy Homes
The goal of Happy Homes is to improve child health on Navajo Nation. Happy Homes is an evidence-based program to help families start healthy habits with their pre-school aged kids. Caregivers and children learn together how to live healthier, happier lives. Changes focus on healthy eating, time spent in front of a TV or computer screen, physical activity, sleep time, gardening, and spending more time together as a family. At every meeting, families are introduced to new routines and healthy recipes to try together at home. Happy Homes is taught in 6 sessions once a month. This program has been adapted to Navajo Nation and includes information using Diné terminology. This curriculum is used in conjunction with the FVRx program.
