Food Security Outcomes and Postintervention Experiences in a Produce Prescription Pilot: A Mixed-Methods Study

Top Things to Know

PRX programs can temporarily improve food security and diet quality, but benefits often diminish when the intervention end.

Persistent issues like affordability, access to healthy foods, and economic instability limit long-term success of FIM interventions.

Improvements in social connection, mental well-being, and confidence with healthy eating are meaningful impacts that can complement clinical outcomes and should be considered in program design and evaluation.

Summary of Conclusion/Findings

This mixed-methods pilot study evaluated the effects of a 6-month produce prescription (PRx) intervention that combined weekly free produce boxes (~$25 value) with nutrition and cooking education on food security and participant experiences among individuals with cardiometabolic conditions. Quantitative findings showed modest, non-significant improvements in food security during the intervention, with some gains in fruit and vegetable variety early on, but these improvements were not sustained after the program ended, as food insecurity returned to baseline or worse levels within 1–3 months postintervention. Qualitative data provided deeper insight, highlighting perceived benefits such as improved diet, increased nutrition knowledge, social connection, and enhanced overall well-being, even when clinical outcomes showed limited change. However, participants consistently emphasized persistent structural barriers, like particularly cost, limited access to healthy foods, and economic hardship, that made it difficult to maintain dietary changes once program support ended. While some participants developed strategies (eg, food preservation) to extend benefits, the time-limited nature of the intervention constrained long-term impact. Overall, the study suggests that PRx programs can produce short-term improvements in diet and well-being, but sustained impacts require longer-term support and structural interventions.