Monroe County Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program (FVRx) continues to grow in reach and impact across Monroe County and the Northern Finger Lakes region. One of the most powerful tools they have for spreading awareness and encouraging participation is the voice of their past participants – those who have experienced firsthand the benefits of this life-changing program.
FVRx offers the flexibility of online or in-person classes, making it easier than ever for participants to join, regardless of their schedule or location. The program not only provides evidence-based nutrition education but also fosters sustainable behavior change. Many participants report improvements in their eating habits, increased physical activity, and even better health outcomes, often confirmed by their healthcare providers.
One recent success story is that of Pastor Sandra Felder from Rhema Life Community Church. Pastor Sandra completed a virtual six-week FVRx course in December 2024. On the final day of class, Pastor Sandra shared exciting news: her cholesterol levels had dropped, her doctor was thrilled, and she had even lost weight. She credited the class for these results, saying,
“My numbers improved by increasing my fruits and veggies. The class was very informative with good tips and information to improve my health. I’m still improving my eating habits due to what Vilca shared with me.”
Inspired by her own transformation, Pastor Sandra took it a step further – she enrolled her church community in online classes, which ran from mid-January through February 2025. Following that series, she said, “My church family was also helped by this class and only had good comments to share. I hope this class can be shared with more people who are struggling with food and health concerns.”
Success stories like this are a testament to the program’s power to transform not only individuals, but entire communities.
CCE Monroe has partnered with health systems across the Northern Finger Lakes region. In Monroe County, partners include Rochester Regional Health, UR Medicine’s Golisano Children’s Hospital, Wilmot Cancer Institute, and Jordan Health. These partnerships play a vital role in spreading the word about FVRx. Healthcare providers refer patients, post program flyers in waiting areas, and help publicize upcoming classes through various communication platforms. CCE Monroe also works with these partners to offer in-person classes at their facilities when possible.
The FVRx program focuses on practical nutrition education. Participants learn:
•How to build balanced meals using the MyPlate method
•How to eat healthfully on a budget
•How to read and understand food labels
•How to identify red flags in packaged foods
•How to incorporate what they learn into their daily lives
Each class also includes a live cooking demonstration, with recipes chosen by participant vote, and optional physical activity components to encourage movement in daily routines.
Participants receive $15 in vouchers per class – totaling $90 over the six-week program – to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at local vendors, including Wegmans, TOPS, Save-A-Lot, Abundance Food Co-op, the Rochester Public Market, the Foodlink truck, and seasonal markets like the Westside and Greece markets.
A six-month version of the program is also offered that follows a similar educational structure but provides participants with a monthly $32 Visa card for purchasing produce only at Walmart – totaling $192 across the program.
FVRx classes are completely free and open to community members. To enroll or learn more about upcoming classes, contact Kelly Steurrys, Program Operator, at 585-478-1480 or kss237@cornell.edu.
CCE Monroe is proud of the impact this program continues to have on families and neighborhoods throughout our region, and looks forward to hearing more success stories.
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