1611-P: Produce Prescriptions as Food Is Medicine for Type 2 Diabetes: Multisite Quasi-Experimental Implementation and Baseline Findings

Introduction and Objective: Produce prescription programs (PPRs) are a food is medicine strategy to improve fruit and vegetable (FV) access for people living with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and food insecurity. Multisite evaluations integrating PPRs with the diabetes education standard of care (SOC) remain limited. This ADA-funded study assessed implementation and baseline characteristics of PPR+SOC (intervention) vs SOC (control). Methods: Pathway for Produce Prescriptions in Diabetes Management is a quasi-experimental study across five U. S. sites with healthcare clinics and community organizations delivering PPRs funded by the USDA’s Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program. Adults living with T2D and food insecurity received either PPR+SOC for 4-6 months or SOC. PPR modalities included retail electronic debit incentives and produce boxes. SOC was delivered individually or in groups. Clinical measures (HbA1c, BMI, blood pressure) were extracted from electronic health records. Baseline and follow-up surveys assessed FV intake (FVI), food security, diabetes distress, and quality of life. Process data described PPR issuance/redemption and nutrition education attendance. Results: Overall, 380 participants completed baseline surveys (232 intervention; 148 control). Participants were mostly female (68%), 56. 4 (SD=12. 3) years old; 42% identified as Hispanic and 33% as Black/African American. Baseline characteristics were similar across groups, though intervention participants were older. Baseline FVI was 2. 8 (SD=0. 9) cups/day and 87% reported food insecurity. Mean PPR issuance and redemption were respectively 275 and 234 per participant. Participants attended an average of five nutrition education sessions. Conclusion: This quasi-experimental study demonstrates the feasibility of integrating PPRs with SOC for adults living with T2D and food insecurity, providing context for future analyses of patient outcomes and supporting efforts to scale food-based interventions within diabetes care. Disclosure C. Byker Shanks: None. E. Mitchell: None. J. Marriott: None. D. Albright: None. C. Thielen: None. B. Topiel: None. A. Wang: None. S. A. Stotz: None. Funding American Diabetes Association (7-22-ICTSN-40), USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (2023-70414-40461)