Participants receive one produce box per week for 8 consecutive weeks plus printed nutrition information. Each box contains approximately $40 worth of fresh fruits and vegetables selected for their high carotenoid content and dependent on seasonal availability. To monitor biological changes and adherence, participants undergo non-invasive skin carotenoid measurements using a Veggie Meter and complete surveys at baseline (Week 0), midpoint (Week 4), and study completion (Week 8).

The Produce Prescription Program provides a weekly, box of fresh produce specifically curated for high carotenoid content (e.g., leafy greens, carrots, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes). Each box is accompanied by nutrition education materials, including seasonal recipes, storage tips, and preparation guides designed to increase participant food agency and cooking confidence. This intervention is distinguished by its focus on objective nutritional biomarkers; rather than relying solely on self-reported intake, the study utilizes reflection spectroscopy (Veggie Meter) to track changes in skin carotenoid levels at baseline (Week 0), midpoint (Week 4), and completion (Week 8). The contents of the boxes are seasonally dependent to ensure high nutrient density and to simulate a sustainable, real-world campus food-as-medicine model.

Skin carotenoid levels are measured using the Veggie Meter, a non-invasive device that utilizes reflection spectroscopy to provide an objective biomarker of fruit and vegetable intake. The Veggie Meter score is measured on a continuous scale ranging from 0 to 800 units. A higher score indicates a higher concentration of carotenoids in the skin, which serves as a proxy for increased consumption of carotenoid-rich fruits and vegetables. The study will evaluate the change in these scores to determine the impact of the produce box intervention.

Food insecurity is assessed using the 2-item Hunger Vital Sign screener. This validated tool identifies individuals at risk of food insecurity based on concerns about food running out and the inability to afford more food. Responses are categorized as "food secure" or "food insecure." A participant is considered food insecure if they identify as "often true" or "sometimes true" to either of the two statements. The study will evaluate the change in the proportion of participants categorized as food insecure from the beginning to the end of the intervention.

Subjective well-being and quality of life are assessed using the 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5). This validated scale asks participants to rate their well-being over the past two weeks using five positively phrased statements (e.g., "I have felt cheerful and in good spirits").

Scoring logic: > * Each item is scored on a 0 to 5 scale, where 0 is "at no time" and 5 is "all of the time."

The raw score ranges from 0 to 25.

The raw score is multiplied by 4 to generate a final percentage score from 0 (worst imaginable well-being) to 100 (best imaginable well-being).

The study will evaluate the mean change in the transformed (0-100) score from baseline to study completion.