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A pilot study of an online produce market combined with a fruit and vegetable prescription program for rural families
Burrington et al. (2020) tell us that rural families are often at risk of developing diet-related diseases despite their close proximity to farms. This study introduced families to a Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program (F&VRx), which consisted of family cooking and nutrition classes and shopping at a pilot online produce site. These families had been referred since they consisted of one or more children at risk for chronic diseases related to obesity. The objective of this project was to promote lifestyle dietary changes in rural families. Firstly, the family were given credit to spend at the online grocery store once a week for 5 months. Moreover, the families were invited to monthly nutrition/cooking lessons. After completing the program, the families reported higher consumption of fruits and vegetables by the children, as well as increased confidence, culinary skills, and food literacy. In fact, 60% of the families continued shopping online for fresh groceries on a weekly basis even 3 months after the program finished. It can be concluded that using a F&VRx, online groceries ordering, and family cooking classes can improve families’ behaviors with regards to shopping, preparing, and consuming fruits and vegetables. [NPID: diet intervention, mental health, rural families, diet-related diseases, farm, fruits, vegetables, FV intake, obesity, chronic disease, culinary skills, food literacy]
Year: 2020
