2309-P: VeggieRx and GroceryRx Produce Prescription Programs Evaluation in South Carolina

Introduction and Objective: Produce Prescription Programs, including GroceryRx and VeggieRx were implemented in partnership with FoodShare SC and Lowcountry Street Grocery in South Carolina from 2021 to 2025. These initiatives aimed to improve diabetes care by promoting healthier diets, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving perceived health among patients with diabetes or prediabetes. Methods: This program evaluation used a quantitative pre/post survey design. Participants completed baseline surveys before enrollment and follow-up surveys after six months. Of the 744 individuals who completed a baseline survey, 327 completed a post survey and received 10 or more produce boxes. The cohort was predominantly women (73.4%) and Black patients (59.9%), with 42.2% aged 46-60 years and 25.1% aged 61-69 years. Key outcomes included fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake, food security, nutrition security, and self-reported health. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests and McNemar tests. Results: After an average of six months, F&V intake increased significantly from 2.72 to 2.94 cups per day (p < 0.01). Food insecurity scores improved, with the mean score decreasing from 4.08 to 3.42 (p < 0.001), and the odds of being food secure increased by 9.5% (51.1% vs. 41.6% at baseline). Nutrition security scores also improved, rising from 2.63 to 2.92 (p < 0.001), with the proportion of nutritionally secure participants increasing from 64.6% to 76.2% (p < 0.001). Self-reported health improved as well, with the percentage of participants rating their health as “good” rising from 34.5% to 47.5% (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Participation in the Produce Prescription Program was associated with significant improvements in F&V intake, food security, nutrition security, and self-reported health. These findings highlight the potential of such programs to enhance diabetes management and overall health. Future research should explore long-term effects and strategies to expand these programs to larger populations.