Background Food insecurity and poor dietary intake contribute to health disparities, particularly among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Produce prescription programs aim to improve access to fruits and vegetables (F&V) for those with diet-sensitive conditions, but comparative effectiveness data are limited.

Objective To compare the impact of two produce prescription strategies, NutriConnect Credit (grocery coupons) and NutriConnect Delivery (home-delivered F&V boxes), on dietary intake, food security, and health outcomes among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations who have been recently hospitalized with diet-sensitive conditions.

Methods In this three-arm pilot trial, recently hospitalized adults with food or financial insecurity and elevated cardiovascular risk were randomized (1:1:1) to Credit, Delivery, or enhanced usual care. The primary outcome is between group difference in change in F&V intake at 6 months. Secondary outcomes include food security and self-reported health-related quality of life. Implementation outcomes are assessed using the PRISM/RE-AIM framework.

Conclusion NutriConnect seeks to provide evidence on the effectiveness and feasibility of two produce prescription strategies to inform scalable “Food is Medicine” programs targeting nutrition-related health disparities.

Trial registration number NCT06263751

The authors have declared no competing interest.

NCT06263751

This study was funded by the American Heart Association (24FIM1268045)

I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.

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The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:

Washington University in St. Louis Human Subjects Protection OFfice (Institutional Review Board) approved this research study on 2/20/2024.

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Funding: American Heart Association (24FIM1268045)

Disclosures: SGKY was supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), grant number T32HL007081 and MDH was supported by K24HL175228. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. MDH has received travel support from the World Heart Federation and consulting fees from PwC Switzerland.

All data produced in the present study will be available upon reasonable request to the authors.