Food Is Medicine: Makin' Healthy Groceries

Impact of a Food Purchasing Intervention on Consumption Patterns and Improved Dietary Outcomes in New Orleans - Food Is Medicine

This is a minimal risk study focusing on food purchasing and consumption in 100 subjects in the greater New Orleans area. There is evidence showing that individually-targeted vouchers effectively increase category-level food purchases in both less healthful and more healthful categories. This pilot study will investigate whether a voucher program using Instacart or a local, brick-and-mortar supermarket in New Orleans, LA lead to changes in food purchasing patterns, food consumption, food insecurity, and access to healthy food options for the participants, who are at risk of cardiovascular disease and/or cardiac complications. The study will also measure concordance between food purchasing and actual consumption.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Greater than or equal to 50 years of age
• Uncontrolled hypertension (defined as at least two clinically documented blood pressure readings of systolic BP >= 140 AND diastolic BP >=90 in the prior 6 months)
• Understands English

Exclusion Criteria:

• No internet access (at home, library, relative, or though phone plan)
• No adequate transportation (personal car, reliable ride, bus, and/or Uber/Lyft) in the New Orleans area