Abstract
Objective
To examine Fruit and Vegetable Prescription (FVRx) Program participants’ and nonparticipants’ experiences and perceptions of farm direct (FD)
settings.
Design
Multiple-case study of adults with low income from 3 study groups: (1) FVRx intervention
(produce prescription, nutrition education [NE], financial literacy education, health
screening), (2) NE only, and (3) control (standard health care). Participant interviews
with each group at baseline and 6 months.
Setting
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) eligible adults from 3 Georgia counties.
Participants
A total of 46 adults with ≥ 1 diet-related condition.
Phenomena of Interest
Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program participant and nonparticipant experiences and perceptions of FD settings.
Analysis
Constant comparative methods and thematic analysis of qualitative interview data across
groups.
Findings
Two main themes emerged: (1) baseline FD setting experiences and perceptions and (2)
divergent experiences and perceptions with FD settings postintervention. Participants
across each group employed price-conscious food purchasing practices because of limited
food budgets, limiting local food access. Combining produce prescription, NE, and
farmers’ market access enhanced FVRx participant associations with FD settings to
reinforce motivation for accessing and purchasing fruits and vegetables beyond program
participation.
Conclusions and Implications
Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Programs reduce multiple barriers to participating in FD settings compared with NE or standard
health care alone.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
August 22,
2022
Footnotes
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: The authors have not stated any conflicts of interest.
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
