Building a Healthier

Community

Fun with Food to Improve Nutrition

MSU-Hurley Children’s Hospital Pediatric Public Health Initiative’s Nutrition team works with many partners to improve nutrition access, education, and healthy eating behaviors for children and families in Genesee County.

Fruit & Vegetable
Prescription Program

Flint Kids Cook

Healthy Recipes

What's New?

The Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program improves family satisfaction with child health care

February 2026 – New research published in Preventive Medicine Reports finds that families who use fruit and vegetable prescriptions report greater satisfaction with their child’s health care. This suggests that parent-provider ties may be strengthened by produce prescription programs for youth.

Flint Kids Cook Valentine's Day Pop-Up Event was a sweet success!

February 2026 – Flint Kids Cook partnered with Gloria Coles Flint Public Library for an afternoon of healthy baking. To celebrate Valentine’s Day, we made homemade strawberry, raspberry, and cherry shortcakes!

Follow The PPHI Nutrition Team on LinkedIn

December 2025 – The PPHI Nutrition Team is now on LinkedIn! We will be sharing program updates and research findings related to our work and we would love to connect with you.

Fresh Voices

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The Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program gives my kids the opportunity to try different fruits and vegetables like starfruit, asparagus, and eggplant. It teaches them healthier choices.
Caregiver of Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program Participant

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During pregnancy you need fruits and vegetables, but they’re expensive. To be able to go to a doctor's appointment and to get a fruit and vegetable prescription for free, I think that was really good.
Prenatal Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program Participant

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The Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program is a great way to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables for our patients!
Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program Pediatrician

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It has been really fun giving kids their own ‘money’ to pick out fruits and vegetables. It has opened their eyes to vegetables and fruit to snack on.
Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program Pediatrician

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My favorite part of Flint Kids Cook was cooking, learning new recipes, and making friends along the way! It also inspired me to be a chef.
Flint Kids Cook Youth Participant

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I liked getting to learn from a chef.
Flint Kids Cook Youth Participant

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Flint Kids Cook helped my daughter develop essential cooking skills, boosted her confidence in the kitchen, and encouraged healthier eating habits. She also learned about teamwork, responsibility, and the importance of nutrition in a fun, hands-on environment.
Caregiver of Flint Kids Cook Participant

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My kids looked forward to Flint Kids Cook every week!! I am also grateful because this is something they've been asking to do for years and has been out of reach due to cost.
Caregiver of Flint Kids Cook Participant

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The class gave my son more independence to cook his own meals at home instead of me always preparing something. He's better involved in the grocery shopping as well.
Caregiver of Flint Kids Cook Participant

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The class has been a great opportunity for my son to learn essential life skills and become more independent. His newfound confidence has been a great asset in his everyday life.
Caregiver of Flint Kids Cook Participant