A descriptive assessment and cost study was completed early in 2025 by Public Policy Associates (PPA) on behalf of the Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA) and their Michigan Produce Prescription (PPR) Coalitions. The purpose was to understand the true cost to administer and operate PPR programs in Michigan.
PPR programs are evidence-based interventions that improve access to fruits and vegetables for individuals who are experiencing nutrition challenges such as food insecurity, lack of access to nutritious food, and diet-related chronic diseases. PPR programming is fostered by partnerships among health care, community-based organizations, and food retailers.
The cost study included 12 PPR programs across the state of Michigan that served 15,610 people annually in 2023 or 2024. PPR programs were asked to complete a detailed workbook covering a descriptive assessment of their program, direct costs (billable and in-kind) of various program components, and indirect costs.
This study (available below) sheds light on the true cost to administer and operate PPR programs in Michigan. It also highlights areas for future research to support PPR program expansion and policy, including research on (1) which program characteristics contribute to cost efficiencies and how value-added services influence cost, (2) cost-effectiveness studies looking at how program characteristics and costs compare against their outcomes and (3) at what program size would the per participant cost start to decrease from an economy of scale.
