Participation in a Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program for Pediatric Patients is Positively Associated with Farmers’ Market Shopping

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The study took place in Flint, Michigan, where 60% of children live in poverty, and was conducted at Hurley Children’s Center, a pediatric clinic co-located with a farmers’ market. Most participants were from low-income, food-insecure households, with 63% receiving SNAP benefits. The FVPP aimed to address food access barriers by integrating nutrition support into pediatric healthcare.

Children who received at least one FVPP prescription were significantly more likely to shop at the farmers’ market in the past month (50.6% vs. 26.8%, p = 0.005) and in the past year (75.3% vs. 53.6%, p = 0.007) compared to non-participants. This suggests the program successfully encouraged families to purchase fresh produce.

The study is the first to demonstrate that FVPPs for children can effectively increase engagement with local farmers' markets, suggesting a potential strategy for improving food access and nutrition in underserved communities. Future research should explore long-term dietary impacts and scalability of FVPPs.

Summary of Conclusion/Findings

This cross-sectional study explored the link between participation in a fruit and vegetable prescription program (FVPP) and shopping at farmers’ markets among caregivers of pediatric patients at Hurley Children’s Center in Flint, Michigan. It surveyed 157 caregivers, representing 278 children, to assess their involvement with the FVPP, their food security status, and their engagement with farmers’ markets. Findings indicate that participants in the FVPP were significantly more likely to have shopped at farmers’ markets in the past month and year.This study highlights FVPP can drive farmers' market engagement, potentially improving food access and diet quality for low-income pediatric populations. Future research should explore long-term dietary impacts and scalability of FVPPs.