Examining changes in diet and shopping behaviors resulting from farmers market nutrition incentive and “Fruit and Vegetable Prescription” programs for underserved consumers

Introduction: Farmers markets have recently attracted a great deal of attention for their potential to provide consumers in rural and urban “food deserts” with fresh fruits and vegetables. Incentive programs targeting federal nutrition benefit customers at markets seek to address the problems of access and affordability for these consumers, and enhance the viability of participating. New “Fruit and Vegetable Prescription” programs are also emerging, linking health care providers and organizations working with farmers markets to provide people at-risk for diet-related diseases with the resources to increase consumption of fresh, locally grown produce. Two related studies will be presented.

Methods: The nutrition incentive study followed 300 dyads (women and their children) at farmers markets San Diego, New York City, and Boston over a 24-week period. The Fruit and Vegetable Prescription program followed approximately 200 participants at 6 sites over a 5-month period. Both studies employed a food frequency questionnaire and shoppers survey throughout the period to examine changes in fruit and vegetable consumption and shopping behavior, as well as usage of incentives/prescriptions at the participating markets.

Results: This poster presentation explores preliminary results from each study undertaken in 2011-12, addressing changes in fruit and vegetable consumption, involvement in the programs, as well as changes in shopping patterns on the part of participants.

Discussion: To date, no research has measured the dietary and behavioral impacts of farmers market incentive programs. These preliminary results will provide researchers, policy makers, and funders with the first evidence of both, and address future research needs.