Evaluation of the 2021 2024 Implementation

Top Things to Know

Education and behavior-support components may enhance PRx effectiveness.

Rural implementation is feasible but may require strategies to improve participation.

Food literacy represents an important and potentially modifiable implementation target.

Summary of Conclusion/Findings

This implementation evaluation assessed a 20-week produce prescription program serving underinsured adults with type 2 diabetes across 15 rural North Carolina counties. Participants received produce, group education classes, and telephone health coaching. Program satisfaction was very high, and improvements were observed in food literacy, fruit and vegetable intake, whole-grain consumption, and HbA1c. Greater engagement with classes and coaching was associated with larger improvements in glycemic control, with group-class attendance emerging as the strongest predictor. Attendance levels were moderate, highlighting challenges in program participation despite strong acceptability.