New Program Helps Provide Fresh Produce To Tulsa Families With Type 2 Diabetes

A Tulsa family says access to locally grown fruits and vegetables is improving their health.

Participants in the Fresh RX Food Program tell News On 6's Sawyer Buccy in just 19 weeks they are already seeing lowered A1C levels. 

Welcome to Debra Cooper's Kitchen.

"So, I put my peppers and onions in first and let them visit each other," said Cooper. 

Fresh meals are being made from scratch here every day, but it hasn't always been like this.

"Like I said, they don't make you feel like you are getting a handout- it is like, come and get some longevity," said Cooper, "I was best friends with Little Debbie and her snack cakes."

Debra says unhealthy foods were also friendlier to her budget and at times much more accessible than fresh, local produce. Over the years, Debra's sweet tooth started impacting her health. She was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in June and as a patient at Crossover Health Services was connected with the Fresh RX team.

"Our body can heal itself if it gets what it needs," said Erin Martin with Fresh RX. 

Fresh RX has partnered with Oklahoma farmers, community partners, and patients at Crossover Health Services to bring fresh, locally grown produce to 52 participants with dangerously high A1C levels and Type 2 diabetes.

"Food is medicine and it has this huge ripple effect- not only for the individual but for the local economy," said Martin. 

Debra is one of the Fresh RX participants. In less than 11 weeks her A1C levels have gone from 10.6-7.1.

"They gave us all of these recipes; with the items, we were picking up. so that is like- you gave me not just the car, but you gave me the keys too," said Cooper. 

Debra is a pastor of a growing ministry, and her physical health is starting to match her spiritual health. She says the same results are possible for others.

"What I am called to do I want to be here to finish it and I want to do it in excellence...this program...it is life-changing," said Cooper. 

"We are really helping people- real, outcomes, real food, real people," said Martin.