NYC hospitals to offer veggie 'prescriptions'

refrigerator full of healthy food. friuts and vegetables

Two New York City hospitals are joining a national program that lets doctors write high-risk, low-income patients prescriptions for fruits and vegetables.

The pilot program is being launched by Harlem Hospital and Lincoln Medical Center.

Patients who receive the prescriptions can exchange them for "Health Bucks" coupons used at farmers markets.

The produce prescription program is the brainchild of a Connecticut-based organization called Wholesome Wave.

The patients also get nutrition counseling.

Proponents say it's a win-win: healthier patients and a boost for local farmers.