RUSH Food is Medicine Veggie Rx - GusNIP Produce Prescription

GusNIP Produce Prescription Project

The goal of this clinical trial is to assess nutrition incentives and produce vouchers to measure the impacts of food insecurity-related chronic health conditions in adults with hypertension and/or diabetes. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Does participation increase fruit and vegetable consumption for participants?
• Does participation reduce individual and household food insecurity?
• Does participation reduce healthcare utilization and associated costs?
• Does participation lead to improvements in diet-related health outcomes (e.g., hypertension, diabetes)?
• Does participation support the local economy by increasing participant spending at local food vendors?

Participants will:

• Receive 6 months home delivered produce prescription boxes
• Receive 6 months match of produce vouchers
• Receive nutrition education and participate in Chronic Disease Self-Management classes

The clinical trial will serve up to 400 participants over the GusNIP Produce Prescription project. The primary outcome measure one is to strengthen food systems access and improve participant level dietary health quality through increased fruit and vegetable consumption; reduce overall individual and household level food insecurity; reduce healthcare use and associated costs; and support local economies through local food procurement. Rush participants with or at risk of diabetes and/or hypertension who screen positive for food insecurity and meet the requirements to participate in a Produce Prescription project are referred to the Veggie Rx program for one year participation. Vouchers for up to $40 dollars match can be used concurrently with SNAP EBT benefits at a local grocer, the project's SNAP firm partner. Data will measure improvements in fruit and vegetable consumption, food security status, diet quality, knowledge and behaviors, self-efficacy, healthcare utilization and associated costs.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults over 18 years of age
• Participants receiving medical care at Rush
• Participants with a diagnosis of hypertension and/or diabetes
• Participants with a positive screen for food insecurity
• Participants eligible for medical assistance through a state plan
• Participants eligible for benefits through the SNAP program
• Participants are member of a low-income household
• Participants willing to participate for duration of the program (12-months)
• Participants residing in service area of the referring Rush clinic

Exclusion Criteria:

• Adults unable to consent
• Individuals not yet adults - infants, children, teenagers
• Incarcerated individuals