Ervaringen en klantkenmerken van Boeren voor Buren

Farmers for Neighbours (in Dutch: Boeren voor Buren, BvB) is an initiative offering affordable fruit and vegetables for individuals with a low income. Our research focuses on the following questions: what are the characteristics, financial status, and perceived food security, health and well-being and fruit and vegetable intake of BvB customers? What is the perceived impact of using BvB on fruit and vegetable intake? What are reasons for using BvB and experiences of using BvB?

This is a mixed-method cross-sectional study. Interviews and questionnaires were conducted among customers of BvB, including questions on characteristics, financial status, and perceived food security, health and well-being and fruit and vegetable intake, as well as reasons for use and experiences of using BvB.

A total of 129 questionnaires were completed and 8 interviews were conducted. The results show that BvB reaches a mixed target group: people with low income and perceived food insecurity, but also many participants had higher vocational or university education and high fruit and vegetable intake. Participants were less likely to be overweight than the general population, but equally likely to have chronic conditions. BvB is generally well appreciated by clients. High fruit and vegetable intake can be a reason for becoming a BvB customer, but there also seems to be an additional positive impact of BvB on fruit and vegetable intake for a group of customers.