Meal Kits for Healthy Eating
(ANCHOR Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to determine if providing free meal kits through a food pantry can promote healthier eating. These medically supportive meal kits include fresh produce, seafood, and other ingredients, along with easy recipes and optional cooking demonstrations. The researchers seek to assess whether the meal kits are easy to use, helpful, and improve access to healthy foods and cooking confidence. Individuals who use The Open Door food pantry and do not have food allergies or dietary restrictions that prevent them from consuming the meal kit foods may be suitable for this trial. Participants will complete short surveys and may join group discussions to share their experiences. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance community health and nutrition.
What prior data suggests that this method is safe for supporting healthy eating?
Research has shown that meal kits designed to support health are generally safe and easy to use. Studies have found that these kits can improve health by reducing the need for hospital visits. They include healthy foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood, which benefit overall well-being.
These meal kits aim to improve eating habits and suit many people. They help individuals adhere to healthy eating guidelines. Reports of negative effects from using these meal kits are rare. Instead, they are often praised for making nutritious food more accessible and promoting healthier lifestyles.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about the medically supportive meal kits because they offer a fresh approach to promoting healthy eating habits through practical, hands-on experience. Unlike traditional nutrition education, which often relies on static information like pamphlets or lectures, these meal kits provide tangible ingredients and simple, culturally relevant recipes that make healthy cooking accessible and achievable. Additionally, the integration of local produce and seafood supports community engagement and sustainability, potentially leading to better long-term health outcomes. This method empowers participants to learn by doing, creating a more engaging and effective pathway to healthier eating.
What evidence suggests that these meal kits are effective for supporting healthy eating?
Research has shown that meal kits designed to support health can improve well-being. In this trial, participants will receive medically supportive meal kits. Other studies have linked these kits to a 49% decrease in hospital stays and a 72% reduction in nursing home stays. Additional research has found that such meal kits help lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Recipients of these meals visited the hospital less often and incurred lower healthcare costs. Overall, these meal kits appear to promote healthier eating and enhance general health.24678
Who Is on the Research Team?
Kelseanna Hollis-Hansen, PhD, MPH
Principal Investigator
Tufts University
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for adults who use The Open Door food pantry and are interested in receiving free meal kits to support healthy eating. There are no specific health conditions required, but participants must be able to complete short surveys.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive meal kits including fresh produce, seafood, and other ingredients, along with recipes and optional cooking demonstrations over a 12-week period
Follow-up
Participants complete surveys and may participate in focus groups to provide feedback on the meal kit program
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Medically supportive meal kits
Trial Overview
The study is testing whether providing free meal kits with fresh produce, seafood, recipes, and optional cooking demos helps people eat healthier and feel more confident cooking. Participants receive these kits over three months.
How Is the Trial Designed?
1
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Participants in this single-arm pilot study will receive a nutrition-focused meal kit intervention delivered through a community food pantry. Over a 12-week period, participants will receive three meal kits per week during their regular pantry visits. Each meal kit includes fresh produce, locally sourced seafood, and pantry staple ingredients (e.g., grains, seasonings), bundled together with simple, culturally relevant recipes designed to support preparation of healthy meals at home. In addition to meal kit distribution, participants will be invited to attend optional onsite cooking demonstrations led by community partners, which provide hands-on guidance for preparing the recipes and using the provided ingredients. Participants will also complete a baseline and follow-up survey, and a subset may be invited to participate in focus groups to share feedback on their experience with the program.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Tufts University
Lead Sponsor
Citations
Digital and Technology-Based Nutrition Interventions ... - PMC
Data were extracted on study design, population characteristics, outcomes, feasibility, acceptability, and reported. This intervention ...
Our Model
MTMs are designed to improve health outcomes, lower cost of care and increase client satisfaction. ly Tailored Meals delivered
Types of Interventions | odphp.health.gov
Medically supportive meals include healthy foods that can be used by a broad patient population to improve dietary habits and overall health.
4.
socialneedsinvestmentlab.com
socialneedsinvestmentlab.com/assessment/medically-tailored-food-packagesMedically Tailored Food Packages
Some studies found significant improvements in blood pressure and hemoglobin A1c while one study found no effect.
Medically Tailored Meals
Among 1,020 study participants, receipt of MTM was associated with a 49% reduction in inpatient admissions, 72% fewer admissions to skilled nursing facilities,
6.
momsmeals.com
momsmeals.com/our-newsroom/evidence-mounts-medically-tailored-meals-improve-health-outcomes-and-lower-total-cost-of-care/Evidence mounts: Medically tailored meals improve health ...
medically tailored meals can reduce hospitalizations, lower emergency department use, and lower the total cost of care,
7.
triocommunitymeals.com
triocommunitymeals.com/livewellwithtraditions/medically-tailored-meals-delicious-nutritious-meals-that-support-the-food-is-medicine-approach-to-health-care/Medically Tailored Meals: Delicious, Nutritious ...
Providing medically tailored meals could result in. Medically tailored meals improved adherence to dietary recommendations to greater than 90% of heart disease ...
Medically Tailored Meals: A Case for Federal Policy Action
Evidence demonstrates that MTMs improve health outcomes, reduce hospitalizations, and lower total cost of care.
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