Influence of a Prenatal Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program on Diet and Household Food Security in a Low-Income, Urban Community

Top Things to Know

Providing fruit and vegetable prescriptions through healthcare settings helped increase produce consumption during critical prenatal stages, reinforcing food as a therapeutic tool for maternal and fetal health.

The decline in dietary improvements postpartum underscores the need for sustained FIM interventions that continue after delivery to maintain health benefits for mothers and infants.

Combining FVPP with programs like WIC and SNAP could create a more comprehensive FIM strategy, addressing both immediate dietary needs and long-term food security for vulnerable families.

Summary of Conclusion/Findings

This study evaluated the impact of a prenatal Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program (FVPP) in Flint, Michigan, on diet and household food security among low-income pregnant women. The program provided $15 produce prescriptions at each prenatal visit, redeemable at local farmers’ markets or mobile markets. Among 118 participants, significant improvements in fruit and vegetable intake were observed from early pregnancy to mid-pregnancy (e.g., total fruits and vegetables increased from 2.23 to 3.01 cups/day, p = 0.027), especially among those who redeemed prescriptions. However, intake declined postpartum, suggesting that benefits were not sustained after program completion. Household food security worsened during pregnancy but improved significantly after childbirth (p = 0.013). Overall, the FVPP supported healthier eating during pregnancy but highlighted the need for extended and coordinated nutrition support into the postpartum period.