A Randomized Control Trial of a Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program at a Federally Qualified Health System and Its Impact on Health Outcomes in Patients With Diabetes

Fresh Prescription (Fresh Rx) Program is a fruit and vegetable prescription program that brings together the healthcare system and the food system. This fosters innovative relationships to enhance the understanding of the correlation between food choices and health, increase consumption of locally grown fruits and vegetables, and build a healthy sustainable food system. This promising approach to a healthier food system connects patients to fresh, locally grown produce while providing direct economic benefits to small and midsize farmers and improving health and quality of life for participants.

The Fresh Rx program allots up to $80 ($10 per visit for up to eight visits) for purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables at that FQHC's farmers' market (referred to as the Mercado). The Mercado, which is located outside the entrance to the health center, is a collection of several local produce farmers. The Mercado operates every Thursday (9am-1pm) and will occur over 15 weeks from June 2018-October 2018. In addition to selling fresh produce, the Mercado also offers many other positive health promoting activities including cooking demonstrations, nutrition education and exercise events.

Fresh Rx participants are able fill their prescription at the Mercado for fresh produce up to eight times during the 15-week Fresh Rx program. The visits can, but do not necessarily need to be in consecutive weeks. The provided debit cards are loaded with the $10 stipend at each visit.

A list will be generated from the electronic medical records of the FQHC, of all non-pregnant patients with type 2 diabetes who had a HbA1C >8.0% over the 6 months prior to the start of the Fresh Rx Program. Using simple randomization, the list was randomized into two groups: The Intervention group and the control group. Those selected for the intervention group and the control group will be contacted by telephone and offered participation by a Community Health Worker. Once agreeable to participate, both groups will be brought into the center to sign an informed consent. At that time, they will have their BP, weight and HbA1C tested.

All Fresh Rx participants will complete a basic program orientation that includes receiving their Fresh Rx debit card that can be used with Mercado vendors. All participants will then have their BP, weight and HbA1C checked inside the FQHC after their last visit to the Mercado or within three months of the completion of the Fresh Rx program (January 2, 2019).