By: Claire White, Health Promotion Coordinator
Florida heat is no joke. In fact, since 2018, there have been over 31,000 heat-related emergency room visits (Sela & Tsoukalas, 2024), and hydrating is even more essential during the summer months. One way to keep yourself hydrated and healthy this summer is to fuel your body with seasonal produce. Some water-rich produce you can consider adding to the grocery list this summer includes: celery, cucumbers, peaches, strawberries, tomatoes, watermelon, and zucchini. These fruits and vegetables are almost 90% water!
A new program in Volusia County, the Healthier Together Produce Prescription Program Mobile Farmer’s Market, is a great resource to access fresh and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Patients of the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County who meet health and financial eligibility can be enrolled in this program and receive $36 worth of weekly produce for 16 weeks. As of March 2025, nearly 70 patients have been enrolled in this program, and it continues to grow each week. In addition to delicious produce – like cucumbers, apples, and oranges – participants of the program receive information on other community resources, including nearby food pantries, SNAP application assistance, and Nutrition Education classes, as well as information on how to store and prepare the produce they are receiving.
Not only will access to weekly, seasonal produce keep Volusia County residents hydrated, but it may also help to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, prevent some types of cancer, lower the risk of eye and digestive problems, and optimize medical spending (Harvard, 2025). Consuming produce regularly has even been known to have similar effects to those of commonly prescribed medications (Wilson, 2023).
Through an ongoing partnership with the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County, the Mobile Farmer’s Market aims to connect patients with this fresh and nutritious produce through September 2026.
