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 expands to Davison Farmers Market

August 2026 – The Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program has partnered with Davison Farmers Market! Program participants are now able to fill their fruit and vegetable prescriptions for $15 of fresh produce at Penzien’s Produce located in the Davison Farmers Market. This partnership was inspired by requests from participants to expand to additional farmers market vendors.

Flint Kids Cook attends MSU College of Human Medicine Teddy Bear Health Fair

August 2026 – Flint Kids Cook chef Tina Wilder (pictured) and program coordinator Sarah Egan attended the Teddy Bear Health Fair on Saturday August 15th to share a healthy homemade brownie batter dip and provide information about their free cooking classes with community members.

The Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program reaches milestone for fresh produce purchased through program

July 2026 – Over $900,000 worth of fresh fruits and vegetables have been purchased through the Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program since the program began in 2016! The program not only increases access to fresh, nutritious food for participants but also supports local agriculture. Every dollar spent at Flint Farmers’ Market and Flint Fresh goes directly to local farmers and contributes to the food economy in Flint.

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