Produce Boxes for Food Insecurity

This trial aims to determine if providing college students with free weekly produce boxes increases their fruit and vegetable intake and enhances their food security. It also evaluates the feasibility of implementing this program on a college campus by measuring changes in students' nutrition through a simple finger scan. Participants will receive a box of fresh produce and nutrition tips each week for 8 weeks. Students who struggle to afford healthy food and can pick up their produce at Rutgers Health may be suitable candidates. As an unphased trial, this study offers students an opportunity to improve their diet and well-being while contributing to valuable research on campus food programs.

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems unlikely that you would need to stop, as the study focuses on providing produce boxes to improve food security and nutrition.

Research has shown that produce box programs are generally safe and well-liked. In one study, people with heart and metabolic conditions safely received fresh fruits and vegetables for six months. Another study in Canada found that adults facing food insecurity appreciated the produce box program and reported no negative effects.

Unlike traditional approaches to addressing food insecurity, which often focus on providing calorie-dense, shelf-stable foods, this treatment is unique because it offers fresh produce boxes packed with fruits and vegetables high in carotenoids. The fresh produce not only addresses hunger but also aims to improve nutritional quality by delivering essential nutrients and antioxidants that are often missing from standard food aid. Researchers are excited about this approach because it directly measures biological changes through skin carotenoid levels, providing a tangible way to track improvements in nutrition and health outcomes.

Research has shown that programs providing free fruits and vegetables can increase consumption of these foods and enhance food security. Studies have found that these programs improve diet quality and health for individuals with low incomes. For instance, one study found that participants felt more secure about their food situation six months after receiving produce boxes. Another study suggested that these programs help reduce food insecurity and improve knowledge about nutrition and eating habits. Overall, growing evidence indicates that receiving free produce can positively impact diet and health. Participants in this trial will receive one produce box per week for eight consecutive weeks, along with printed nutrition information, to further explore these benefits.¹⁶⁷⁸⁹