Reducing Food Insecurity During COVID-19

Purpose

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.

Condition

  • Food Insecurity

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Yes

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

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Prevention
Masking
Double (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Active Comparator
Fresh Connect Produce Prescription Program 		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.
  • Other: Produce prescription program
    A monthly $150 stipend will be provided to participants for 6 consecutive months to purchase fresh food items at mobile markets and independent farmers markets across Boston.
    Other names:
    • Fresh Connect
Active Comparator
Grocery store gift cards 		Participants randomized to this comparator will receive grocery gift cards redeemable at conventional grocery stores.
  • Other: Grocery store gift cards
    A monthly value of $150 in grocery store gift cards redeemable at conventional grocery stores will be provided to participants for 6 consecutive months.

More Details

Status
Completed
Sponsor
Boston Medical Center

Study Contact