Evaluation of the Farmers’ Markets for Kids programme

LaChance²,

Hanna‐Attisha³

et al. 2019

Nutrients

Though fruit and vegetable consumption is essential for disease prevention and health maintenance, intake among children fails to meet dietary recommendations. Limited access to and the affordability of fresh produce, particularly among low-income youth, are barriers to adequate intake. To address these challenges, researchers and pediatricians in Flint, Michigan, expanded a successful fruit and vegetable prescription program that provides one $15 prescription for fresh fruits and vegetables to every child at every office visit. Vendors include the downtown farmers’ market and a local mobile market. This study describes baseline characteristics, dietary patterns, food access, and food security among 261 caregiver–child dyads enrolled August 2018–March 2019. The child-reported mean daily intake of vegetables (0.72 cups ± 0.77), dairy products (1.33 cups ± 1.22), and whole grains (0.51 ounces ± 0.49) were well below recommendations. Furthermore, 53% of children and 49% of caregivers who completed the food security module indicated low or very low food security. However, there were no statistically significant differences in the child consumption of fruits and vegetables between households that reported high versus low food security (p > 0.05). Results validate and raise deep concerns about poor dietary patterns and food insecurity issues facing Flint children, many of whom continue to battle with an ongoing drinking water crisis. Additional poverty-mitigating efforts, such as fruit and vegetable prescription programs, are necessary to address these gaps.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Fruit and Vegetable Prescriptions for Pediatric Patients Living in Flint, Michigan: A Cross-Sectional Study of Food Security and Dietary Patterns at Baseline

LaChance²,

Hanna‐Attisha³

et al. 2019

Nutrients

“…The nutrients in fruits and vegetables are critical for proper growth and development (1)(2)(3) , cognitive function (4) and chronic disease prevention (5)(6)(7)(8)(9) . Unfortunately, children living in the USA consume fewer servings than recommended, particularly those living in low-income households (10)(11)(12) .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Caregiver perceptions of a fruit and vegetable prescription programme for low-income paediatric patients

Lofton

Hanna‐Attisha

et al. 2018

Public Health Nutr.

117

“…In addition to providing early exposure to a wide variety of healthy foods, many farmers' markets also support exposure activities for children, such as cooking classes and food tastings, which show strong potential to improve diet quality [37,38]. Farmers' market-based nutrition education programs that focus on children have, in fact, been successful in increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables among participants [39]. Improved year-round access to fresh, high-nutrient foods as well as positive food experiences are notable benefits of pediatric FVPPs that necessitate a visit to a local farmers' market.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Participation in a Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program for Pediatric Patients is Positively Associated with Farmers’ Market Shopping

Sadler

LaChance

et al. 2020

IJERPH

Objectives: The primary objective was to investigate the association between participation in a farmers’ market fruit and vegetable prescription program (FVPP) for pediatric patients and farmers’ market shopping. Methods: This survey-based cross-sectional study assessed data from a convenience sample of 157 caregivers at an urban pediatric clinic co-located with a farmers’ market. Prescription redemption was restricted to the farmers’ market. Data were examined using chi-square analysis and independent samples t-tests. Results: Approximately 65% of respondents participated in the FVPP. Those who received one or more prescriptions were significantly more likely to shop at the farmers’ market during the previous month when compared to those who never received a prescription (p = 0.005). Conclusions: This is the first study to demonstrate that participation in a FVPP for pediatric patients is positively associated with farmers’ market shopping.