Headline
Analysis of a produce prescription and nutrition counseling program show promising results and key implementation insights.
Background
Health care organizations are increasingly looking to “food is medicine” interventions to address the intersection of food and nutrition insecurity and health outcomes, particularly for diet-related conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Produce prescription programs, where participants are provided with a prescription or voucher for the purchase of fruits and vegetables, are a common approach. This study describes the implementation and preliminary outcomes of a six- to 12-week program that combined produce prescriptions with nutrition counseling, offered at a community-based wellness and care coordination program, located within low-income housing buildings and community centers.
Findings
By comparing data gathered pre-enrollment and post-program completion, the study found food insecurity scores significantly decreased among the 53 participants (85% Black, 64% female, mean age 66 years). Participants reported increased consumption of fruits and vegetables (41% to 55% consuming daily) and 77% reported setting and achieving at least one health-related goal (e.g., increasing physical activity, daily walking, reducing intake of unhealthy foods.)
Trust and strong pre-existing relationships with program participants, a long-standing collaboration with a local farm, and providing both nutrition counseling and produce prescriptions where participants live were key program strengths identified through an analysis conducted with program staff. Survey burden among staff and participants, as well as data management, were identified as weaknesses.
Policy/Program Takeaways
This study offers a helpful implementation example and promising preliminary results for providers and community-based organizations interested in integrating produce prescription programs into existing community-based health services.