A 52-week fresh food prescribing program reduces food insecurity and improves fruit and vegetable consumption in Ontario, Canada

Abstract

Abstract Background: Food insecurity is linked with suboptimal diet and comprises an important risk factor for nutrition-related chronic diseases. Fruit and vegetable prescription programs are designed to improve access to healthy foods, but there is limited evidence on the impacts of such programs in the Canadian context. The objective of this study was to assess changes in food security, food consumption, and health among adult participants of a fresh food prescribing program in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Methods: A total of 57 food insecure individuals with ≥ 1 cardio-metabolic condition or micronutrient deficiency received fresh food prescriptions from their healthcare practitioner and received weekly vouchers for an online produce market. We used a single-arm repeated-measures evaluation and paired t-tests to assess changes in food security, food intake, self-reported health, and blood biomarkers of cardio-metabolic, and nutritional health. Linear regression models were used to assess factors associated with change in fruit and vegetable consumption and voucher usage. Results: Food insecurity improved following the proportion of participants classified as severely food insecure fell from 47.4–24.5%. Consumption of fruit, dark green vegetables, orange vegetables, and other vegetables increased during the intervention (p < 0.05). Mean fasting insulin and ascorbic acid levels improved (p < 0.05). Worse food insecurity and lower fruit and vegetable consumption at baseline, as well as more frequent interaction with healthcare providers, were associated with a greater increase in fruit and vegetable consumption from pre- to post-intervention (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Fruit and vegetable prescription programs may improve food security and increase fruit and vegetable consumption, but further research is needed to determine their long-term health impacts.