Effectiveness of the Fresh Rx Program in Food Bank Clients with Chronic Disease

Abstract

To determine the impact of the Fresh Rx program of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma on clients with obesity, hypertension, and/or diabetes. 120 food bank clients diagnosed with obesity, hypertension, and/or diabetes were recruited by two low income clinics to participate in the Fresh Rx Program for nine months. The program combined access to healthy food through a free mobile market, food tastings, brief nutrition and lifestyle education, and medical care. A short survey and clinical measures of BMI, blood pressure, and hemoglobin A1c were used to assess the effectiveness of the program using chi square and ANOVA. Fresh Rx program participants reported becoming food secure, and having increased access to fresh fruits and vegetables and improved perceptions of their health and control over their health. Satisfaction with the program was overwhelmingly positive. However, reported intake of fruits and vegetables, clinical measures of body weight, blood pressure, and diabetes control were not improved. The program combined food distribution, nutrition education, and health screenings as an effective way to positively influence the food insecurity of low-income, food-insecure individuals with chronic diseases. Improvements on program focus, intensity of nutrition education, and adjustments to content could improve the impact of the program.