A Pediatric Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program Increases Food Security in Low-Income Households

Objective: To assess change in household food security associated with participation in a pediatric fruit/vegetable prescription program.

Methods: The researchers analyzed clinic-based, fruit/vegetable prescription program data for 578 low-income families, collected in 2013-2015, and calculated changes in food security (summative score; high/low/very low; and individual US Department of Agriculture measures).

Results: Of participating households, 72% increased their summative score over the course of the program. In adjusted regression models, participants had higher change scores with 5 or 6 clinical visits, compared with 1 or 2 visits (β = .07; 95% confidence interval, 0.01-0.14), and college education of the primary caretaker, compared with less than college (β = .05; 95% confidence interval, 0.01-0.09). Select clinic sites (but neither visit nor redemption proportions) significantly contributed to change score variance. All US Department of Agriculture measures saw significant increases.

Conclusions And Implications: Fruit/vegetable prescription programs may help providers address patients' food insecurity. Further research using experimental designs and implementation science could build the case to incorporate programs into practice.