To increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables and associated health benefits among patients experiencing or at risk for diet-related diseases and nutrition insecurity, the food trust…

The Food Trust received $482,999 in federal funding through the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (CFDA 10.331), administered by the Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, to implement the Food Bucks Rx (FBRX) Produce Prescription Program from September 15, 2025, through September 14, 2027. The program connects healthcare providers with fresh food retailers across Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey to increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables among patients experiencing or at-risk for diet-related diseases and nutrition insecurity. Key deliverables include establishing produce prescription services that provide patients with financial incentives to purchase affordable fresh produce at supermarkets, corner stores, and farmers markets, paired with evidence-based nutrition education delivered through The Food Trust's existing curricula and educator resources.

The project targets enrollment of 1,000 participants who will collectively redeem a minimum of $200,000 in fruits and vegetables. A robust evaluation plan will assess the FBRX model's effectiveness in improving dietary health, increasing nutrition security, and reducing healthcare costs while generating evidence to support broader adoption of produce prescription programs throughout the region and healthcare system. By bridging the financial gap between clinical dietary recommendations and retail produce availability, the program aims to empower patients to improve their health outcomes while supporting the local food economy and delivering dignified, self-directed shopping experiences.

To increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables and associated health benefits among patients experiencing or at risk for diet-related diseases and nutrition insecurity, the food trust (TFT)'S food bucks RX (FBRX) program connects healthcare providers and fresh food retailers around a common goal of improving access to affordable fresh produce. Building upon over a decade of experience in developing and implementing nutrition incentive programs, TFT aims to deepen the impact and evaluation of the FBRX model by collaborating with program participants and healthcare and retail partners in pennsylvania (PA), delaware (DE) and new jersey (NJ). This two-year produce prescription project (PPR) seeks to demonstrate and assess the effectiveness of TFT's FBRX program model on improving dietary health, increasing nutrition security and reducing healthcare costs by refining best practices for implementing produce prescriptions. By bridging the financial divide between dietary recommendations from clinicians and the availability of fresh produce in supermarkets, corner stores and farmers markets, FBRX empowers patients to take proactive steps to improve their health while also supporting the local food economy, providing a dignified and self-directed shopping experience and bringing high-quality fruits and vegetables to their families. FBRX will be combined with nutrition education to drive more impactful outcomes, leveraging TFT's existing suite of nutrition education curricula, on-staff educators and tailored resources. With a robust evaluation plan, the proposed project aims to pave the way for broader support and inclusion of produce prescription programs to deliver these benefits throughout the region and healthcare system. By working with current and new healthcare partners, the food trust will aim to reach 1,000 participants who will redeem at least $200,000 in fruits and vegetables.