JAMESTOWN, N.Y. — Tishie Kubasik, 63, purchases green peppers, berries and other assorted produce in Jamestown, as she cannot access fresh fruits and vegetables near her home in Dunkirk.

What You Need To Know

  •  This year's growing season is coming to a close

  •  Area farmer's markets offer fresh produce to communities across the state

  • The Veggie Rx program is one of many that offer a reduced rate in underserved communities

"I don't drive, so I don't get around," she said. "I can't get to the farmer's mart."

So she schedules rides to her doctor's appointments at The Chautauqua Center in nearby Jamestown on the same day that the market is across the street.

"And if it wasn't here, I wouldn't be going to a farmer's mart," said Kubasik. "I'm trying to take down my weight, because, you know, that's dangerous, especially at my age, to carry that extra weight."

The mobile market on wheels is run out of a local Episcopal church and travels to a number of local farms to pick up the food and offer it to folks living in local food deserts at a reduced price.

"It could be a life-saving thing," said Nick Weith, food access manager, St. Luke's Episcopal Church. "Studies have shown access to healthy food is such a huge benefit for people suffering from health conditions, and really anyone, right? Access to healthy food is such an important thing."

And to any patient of The Chautauqua Center, health care providers offer Veggie Rx coupon vouchers which can be used weekly to help stretch those dollars and support local farms, as well as provide education and preventative care.

"Promoting good health within our community and so that's why we're carrying out this program once again," said Alicia Ekstrom, director, recruitment, retention, health and wellness director, Waterfront Foundation.

It's a program designed to help patients financially and combat chronic conditions.

"It's a way to carry out, practicing what we preach," said Ekstrom. "It's just another way that we can create that access to making healthier choices for patients."

Like Kubasik, who is also on a fixed income and recommends the program.

"It's worth every penny," she said. "[This food's] going to get eaten."

The growing season runs a little bit into this month and will pop up again in the spring.