Reducing Food Insecurity During COVID-19

Boston Medical Center (BMC)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Food Insecurity

Treatments: Other: Produce prescription program; Other: Grocery store gift cards

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; Other U.S. Federal agency

Identifiers

NCT04652596

6007145 (Other Grant/Funding Number)

H-41052

AD-1603-34662 (Other Grant/Funding Number)

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of two interventions to address food insecurity among low-income families with young children during the COVID pandemic. The investigators will conduct a parallel group, randomized controlled trial of 250 families. The first randomly assigned comparator is Fresh Connect, a produce prescription program that provides a stipend for participants to purchase fresh food items at mobile markets and independent farmers markets across Boston. The second comparator is grocery store gift cards, redeemable at conventional grocery stores. In each comparator, participants will be given the equivalent of $150 on a monthly basis for six consecutive months. All participants will be followed for 12 months to assess outcomes that involve food insecurity (primary), fruit and vegetable consumption, healthcare utilization, social service utilization, and physical/emotional health.

Enrollment: 250 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Parent of a child 0-18 months of age
• Child receives care at Boston Medical Center

Exclusion criteria

• Planning to move residence outside of Boston within 12 months

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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250 participants in 2 patient groups

Fresh Connect Produce Prescription Program

Active Comparator group

Description:

Investigators will partner with a community organization, About Fresh, that administers a produce prescription program (PPR) and operates mobile fresh foods markets. Participants randomized to this comparator will receive a stipend to Fresh Connect PPR to purchase fresh food items available at mobile markets and at independent farmers markets throughout Boston.

Treatment:

Other: Produce prescription program

Grocery store gift cards

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants randomized to this comparator will receive grocery gift cards redeemable at conventional grocery stores.

Treatment:

Other: Grocery store gift cards