Healthy Food Subsidy Project in Chile

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Feasibility Studies; Food Security

• Registration Number: NCT06865157
• Lead Sponsor: University of Chile

Brief Summary

Feasibility Study

Objective:

The objective of this feasibility study is to develop and evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a healthy food subsidy program within the Chilean context. The program, called Healthy Wallet, is a smartphone app-based initiative aimed at incentivizing low-income families to purchase fruits and vegetables at open markets. The findings from this study are intended to inform and potentially accelerate the implementation of similar policies in other countries.

Methods:

This study assessed the feasibility of implementing the Healthy Wallet subsidy program, designed to promote healthy eating habits among low-income families. The program incentivized the purchase of fruits and vegetables at local ferias (open markets) and was delivered through a smartphone application. The research adopted a community-based approach, leveraging existing social support systems to identify eligible beneficiaries and streamline the distribution of benefits. Open markets served as redemption sites for the subsidies.

The study engaged 30 families and 8 vendors in an 8-week pilot program conducted from June to August 2024. Data collection included pre- and post-implementation surveys, as well as focus group discussions: three with participating families and one with vendors. These methods aimed to evaluate the app's effectiveness, user experience, and overall feasibility of the program. Insights from the study will guide recommendations for scaling the initiative to a national level and beyond.

Detailed Description

Study Design:

This study employed an eight-week feasibility approach (Healthy Wallet) utilizing a mixed-methods assessment. The quantitative component consisted of a pre-post single-arm study, while the qualitative component involved focus group discussions with both vendors and participants.

Intervention:

The Healthy Wallet program is a mobile-based initiative aimed at promoting healthy eating habits among low-income families by incentivizing the purchase of fruits and vegetables at open markets. The program provides a monthly electronic transfer of 16,000 CLP (approximately 17 USD) for each eligible household member, including children under 18, students under 25, and individuals with disabilities. The primary food purchaser in each household receives the transfer, which is exclusively redeemable at registered stalls in the open market.

To ensure seamless transactions, registered vendors display a distinctive Healthy Wallet identification sign with a unique code. Beneficiaries use the mobile application to view available funds and complete purchases by entering the vendor's stall code. A separate vendor application tracks sales and maintains transaction records for efficient invoicing.

Sample:

The program engaged 30 families, who received monthly benefits for two consecutive months to use at 6 participating stalls within the Juan Pinto Durán open market.

Eligibility Criteria:

Eligibility aligned with Chile's existing social protection framework, leveraging the Emergency Family Wallet government subsidy established to address rising food prices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Households that participated in the Emergency Family Wallet program (2023-2024) were eligible.

The designated household representative, responsible for receiving and managing the benefit, had to meet the following criteria:

Be at least 18 years old (legal age). Be a parent or guardian of a child aged 0-5 years. Be responsible for household grocery purchases. Vendors operating at the Juan Pinto Durán open market were excluded from household eligibility.

Subsidy Delivery Platform:

A private mobile application, originally developed for university food benefits, was adapted for this pilot program. A private company managed the entire process, including loading benefits into participants' accounts, facilitating their use at the Juan Pinto Durán open market, and ensuring payment to vendors. This company provided its services pro bono, offering technical expertise and logistical support at no cost.

Ethical Considerations:

The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. The protocol and informed consent forms were approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2024-05-15
• Primary Completion: 2024-08-19
• Study Completion: 2024-10-30
• Study First Submitted: 2024-11-21
• Status Verified: 2024-12
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-03-03
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-03-03
• Study First Posted: 2025-03-07
• Last Update Posted: 2025-03-07

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 30

Inclusion Criteria

Households that are beneficiaries of the Bolsillo Familiar Electrónico program in 2023-2024 and have children under 5 years of age.

Availability to shop at the local open-air market (feria libre).

Exclusion Criteria

Individuals who are market vendors (feria vendors).

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Percentage of the monetary subsidy spent daily by each household, based on the records from the subsidy delivery platform.	Daily throughout the two months of follow-up	Percentage of the monetary subsidy spent daily by each household, based on the records from the subsidy delivery platform.
Percentage of households that used the monetary subsidy at least once per month, based on the records from the subsidy delivery platform	Weekly throughout the two months of follow-up	Percentage of households that used the monetary subsidy at least once per month, based on the records from the subsidy delivery platform
Perceived utility of the subsidy program among beneficiaries, evaluated through online surveys	At the end of the study, at two months of follow-up	Perceived utility of the subsidy program among beneficiaries, evaluated through online surveys (Likert scale)
Perceived utility of the subsidy program among vendors, evaluated through online surveys	At the end of the study, at two months of follow-up	Perceived utility of the subsidy program among vendors, evaluated through online surveys (Yes/No questionnaire)
Self-reported satisfaction of the subsidy program among beneficiaries, evaluated through focus groups	At the end of the study, at two months of follow-up	Self-reported satisfaction of the subsidy program among beneficiaries, evaluated through focus groups
Self-reported satisfaction of the subsidy program among vendors, evaluated through focus groups	At the end of the study, at two months of follow-up	Self-reported satisfaction of the subsidy program among vendors, evaluated through focus groups
Perceived utility of the subsidy platform among beneficiaries, evaluated through online surveys	At the end of the study, at two months of follow-up	Perceived utility of the subsidy program among beneficiaries, evaluated through online surveys (Likert scale)
Perceived utility of the subsidy platform among vendors, evaluated through online surveys	At the end of the study, at two months of follow-up	Perceived utility of the subsidy program among vendors, evaluated through online surveys (Yes/No questionnaire)
Self-reported satisfaction of the subsidy platform among beneficiaries, evaluated through focus groups	At the end of the study, at two months of follow-up	Self-reported satisfaction of the subsidy platform among beneficiaries, evaluated through focus groups
Self-reported satisfaction of the subsidy platform among vendors, evaluated through focus groups	At the end of the study, at two months of follow-up	Self-reported satisfaction of the subsidy platform among vendors, evaluated through focus groups

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Feria Libre Juan Pinto Durán; 🇨🇱 Santiago, Macul, Chile