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Introduction <p>A prenatal fruit and vegetable prescription program (FVPP) was introduced in Flint, Michigan to increase access to fresh produce during pregnancy. This program provides $15 fresh fruit and vegetable prescriptions to all prenatal patients during office visits, redeemable at a local farmers market and mobile market/food hub. The current study assessed changes in diet and food security throughout pregnancy among patients exposed to the prenatal FVPP.</p> Methods <p>This non-controlled longitudinal trial included prenatal patients at two low-income urban clinics presenting before 16 weeks’ gestation. Participants completed surveys to assess diet (one automated 24-hour dietary recall) and food security (US Household Food Security Module: Six Item Short Form - National Center for Health Statistics), with follow-up surveys at mid-pregnancy and postpartum.</p> Results <p>A total of 118 pregnant women (mean age 26.32 ± 5.04 years, range 18–39 years) enrolled in the current study. Most identified as Black/African American (54.2%, <i>n</i> = 64), received Medicaid (66.9%, <i>n</i> = 79), and participated in The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children or WIC (62.4% at midpoint). Participants received an average of 8.81 ± 2.30 fruit and vegetable prescriptions, with two-thirds redeeming at least one (66.9%, <i>n</i> = 79). Household food security worsened from baseline to midpoint (<i>p</i> = 0.076) but improved from midpoint to postpartum (<i>p</i> = 0.013). Participants reported notable changes in dietary behaviors at critical points during their pregnancy. Primarily, significant improvements in mean daily consumption of fruits and vegetables (<i>p</i> = 0.027); total vegetables (<i>p</i> = 0.015); and vegetables excluding potatoes (<i>p</i> = 0.030) were observed from early pregnancy to midpoint. Alternatively, mean daily intake of fruits and vegetables (<i>p</i> = 0.007) and total vegetables (<i>p</i> = 0.029) decreased between midpoint in pregnancy and the early postpartum period.</p> Discussion <p>This study reveals the influence of a prenatal FVPP on diet and food security among prenatal patients living in one low-income, urban community. Results signal an urgent need for coordinated and comprehensive maternal supports that better address food and nutrition security during pregnancy and the early postpartum period.</p>

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Influence of a Prenatal Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program on Diet and Household Food Security in a Low-Income, Urban Community

  • 期刊论文

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月18日

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  • Amy Saxe-Custack,
  • Jenny LaChance,
  • Gayle Shipp,
  • Diana Haggerty

摘要

Introduction

A prenatal fruit and vegetable prescription program (FVPP) was introduced in Flint, Michigan to increase access to fresh produce during pregnancy. This program provides $15 fresh fruit and vegetable prescriptions to all prenatal patients during office visits, redeemable at a local farmers market and mobile market/food hub. The current study assessed changes in diet and food security throughout pregnancy among patients exposed to the prenatal FVPP.

Methods

This non-controlled longitudinal trial included prenatal patients at two low-income urban clinics presenting before 16 weeks’ gestation. Participants completed surveys to assess diet (one automated 24-hour dietary recall) and food security (US Household Food Security Module: Six Item Short Form - National Center for Health Statistics), with follow-up surveys at mid-pregnancy and postpartum.

Results

A total of 118 pregnant women (mean age 26.32 ± 5.04 years, range 18–39 years) enrolled in the current study. Most identified as Black/African American (54.2%, n = 64), received Medicaid (66.9%, n = 79), and participated in The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children or WIC (62.4% at midpoint). Participants received an average of 8.81 ± 2.30 fruit and vegetable prescriptions, with two-thirds redeeming at least one (66.9%, n = 79). Household food security worsened from baseline to midpoint (p = 0.076) but improved from midpoint to postpartum (p = 0.013). Participants reported notable changes in dietary behaviors at critical points during their pregnancy. Primarily, significant improvements in mean daily consumption of fruits and vegetables (p = 0.027); total vegetables (p = 0.015); and vegetables excluding potatoes (p = 0.030) were observed from early pregnancy to midpoint. Alternatively, mean daily intake of fruits and vegetables (p = 0.007) and total vegetables (p = 0.029) decreased between midpoint in pregnancy and the early postpartum period.

Discussion

This study reveals the influence of a prenatal FVPP on diet and food security among prenatal patients living in one low-income, urban community. Results signal an urgent need for coordinated and comprehensive maternal supports that better address food and nutrition security during pregnancy and the early postpartum period.