"We're Really Bad About Our Vegetables in This House": Understanding Barriers of and Facilitators to Improving Fruit and Vegetable Intake Among Patrons of a Hybrid Food and Resource Center and Community Garden

Top Things to Know

Access to fruits and vegetables is not enough; food must be paired with support.

Participants were more likely to eat fruits and vegetables when they viewed them as high-quality and relevant to their health goals.

Depression, anxiety, and life stress were major barriers to healthy eating.

Summary of Conclusion/Findings

This mixed-methods study explored why fruit and vegetable (FV) access programs often fail to improve intake among patrons of a hybrid food and resource center with a community garden. Quantitative data showed no significant change in skin carotenoid levels (a biomarker of FV intake), while qualitative interviews revealed that perceived produce quality and alignment with health goals facilitated intake. However, barriers such as mental health challenges and competing life priorities limited participants’ ability to consistently consume fruits and vegetables. The study concludes that FV access alone is insufficient and that programs must address broader social and behavioral determinants.