2 NYC hospitals to offer veggie 'prescriptions'

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

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 patients also get nutrition counseling.

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

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

-- AP