Oklahoma’s healthcare landscape is shifting from the pharmacy counter to the farm field. In a recent conversation, Farm Director KC Sheperd sat down with Erin Martin, the founder of FreshRx Oklahoma, to discuss the transformative power of “Food is Medicine” and how local agriculture is the key to solving the state’s chronic health crisis.
Elevating Oklahoma to the National Stage
The success of the FreshRx model has caught the attention of federal leadership. Martin recently met with Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to discuss the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative. During these high-level discussions, Martin highlighted how Oklahoma is serving as a blueprint for the nation by integrating regenerative agriculture directly into healthcare systems. By focusing on nutrient density and local procurement, the program addresses both the health of the citizen and the health of the rural economy.
“The national conversation is finally catching up to what we’ve been doing on the ground in Oklahoma,” Martin noted. “Meeting with RFK Jr. and Brooke Rollins confirmed that there is a bipartisan appetite for shifting our focus from sick care to true health care through the food we grow.”
Bridging the Gap Between Health and Soil
For Erin Martin, a gerontologist and regenerative soil advocate, the connection between what we grow and how we heal is inseparable. FreshRx Oklahoma operates on a simple but profound premise: providing nutrient-dense, locally grown produce to patients with type 2 diabetes. By sourcing exclusively from local regenerative farmers, the program ensures that patients aren’t just eating more vegetables—they are eating the most nutrient-dense food available.
“If we have people with the worst health outcomes, we need to give them the best food possible,” Martin said. “I don’t see any better way to create equity and dignity than to be giving them the best food possible.”
Measurable Results: Beyond the Plate
The impact of the program is backed by hard data. Participants in the FreshRx program have seen their A1c levels drop significantly—some by as much as 2.2% on average—while others have seen drastic reductions in blood pressure and weight. But the benefits extend beyond the patient’s chart. The program is designed as a circular economy that supports Oklahoma’s agricultural sector. For every dollar spent on local food producers, FreshRx reinvests $1.70 back into the local economy.
“It is totally possible to reverse chronic disease in this country while scaling food systems in regenerative agriculture across the nation,” Martin noted.
Upcoming Event: Advancing Food is Medicine in Edmond
For those looking to dive deeper into these intersectional solutions, a major event is on the horizon. Erin Martin will be a featured speaker at the Advancing Food is Medicine 2026 program, held in Edmond, Oklahoma, on October 20-21, 2026. This session aims to unify leaders across the healthcare and regenerative agriculture movements. It serves as a vital platform for stakeholders to discuss how nutrient density and local food systems can be scaled to transform community health. “In this Venn diagram of nutrient density, this conference is vital because it allows the focus and the leaders of each of these movements to really unify around the human health component of regenerative ag,” Said Martin.
Ticketing and Registration Details:
- Registration Link Click Here:
- Farmer & Food Producer Rate: The event is FREE for all farmers, ranchers, and food producers, thanks to support from OCIA and the USDA.
- Early Bird Pricing: Reduced rates for students, nonprofits, and general admission are available through July 31, 2026.
- Capacity: The venue has a limit of 200 people and is expected to sell out, so early registration is encouraged.
- Event Location: The Springs in Edmond 7479 W. Simpson Rd.
Edmond, OK 73025
How the Program Works
- Targeted Care: Focuses on low-income individuals with type 2 diabetes.
- Direct Access: Patients receive boxes of fresh, local produce every two weeks.
- Education: Includes cooking classes and nutrition videos tailored to the community.
- Economic Support: Partners with small, sustainable Oklahoma farmers to build a resilient local food web.
You can find more information about freshrx by clicking on their social media pages and their website at Freshrxok.org and Advancing Food is Medicine.
