Evaluation of a Distribution Model to Increase Access to Affordable Fruits and Vegetables

Details

• Journal Article:
  Preventing Chronic Disease (PCD)
• Personal Author:
  Vasold, Kerri L. ; Mantinan, Karah ; Hofer, Rebecca ; Waddle, Michael ; Slechta, Amy
• Description:
  Introduction ; Identifying effective, sustainable strategies to increase fruit and vegetable consumption is critical to addressing chronic disease risk. Models that provide incentives for produce purchases through reduced-cost or no-cost produce shares are promising. The purpose of our study was to examine the impact on fruit and vegetable intake of Good Food for All, a community-based program to distribute no-cost produce boxes to participants with low incomes. We also assessed program satisfaction and future interest in purchasing an affordable produce box. ; Methods ; The Good Food for All program was implemented in 22 US cities. Surveys were administered at baseline and postintervention. An online research panel was used as a comparison group and weighted to be demographically comparable to the intervention group. Descriptive statistics and adjusted difference-in-difference (ADID) models were used to examine differences in outcomes between groups. ; Results ; Respondents (intervention n = 632; comparison n = 1,153) were primarily White, non-Hispanic, and female. Intervention participants had a greater increase in total fruit consumption frequency (ADID: 0.43 times/d; 95% CI, 0.21–0.64; P < .001), total vegetable consumption frequency (ADID: 0.52 times/d; 95% CI, 0.12–0.91; P = .01), and total fruit and vegetable consumption frequency (ADID: 1.03 times/d; 95% CI, 0.49–1.56; P < .001) than comparison respondents. Most intervention participants reported boxes contained the right amount of food (71.9%) and high-quality produce (68.4%) and were willing to purchase a future produce box (85.0%). ; Conclusion ; Findings indicate that a produce box distribution model increased fruit and vegetable consumption, had high satisfaction among participants, and generated interest in purchasing affordable produce boxes. Future studies should explore feasibility of offering low-cost produce boxes at grocery stores and determine appropriate pricing models to enhance access and sustainability.
• Subjects:
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Vegetables
  • Fruit
  • Motivation
  • Poverty
  • Costs and Cost Analysis
• Source:
  Prev Chronic Dis. 2024; 21
• DOI:
  http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd21.230206
• ISSN:
  1545-1151
• Pubmed ID:
  38176697
• Pubmed Central ID:
  PMC10805273
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Volume:
  21
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/150964/cdc_150964_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 457.68 KB]
• Collection(s):
  Preventing Chronic Disease
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:92d5bdcce71a8cce98d8947d7eee8496604c526e6e3df8b93d30cfa40f5377558a9e673bfd4bcb0218f472eacb718f15fc1f130348cec41cf637ba2df3e4e1ec