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Faculty, researchers and partners at the Prevention Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods (PRCHN) recently published an article titled “Mixed Methods Evaluation of a Produce Prescription Program for Pregnant Women” in the Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition. Authors for the paper were:

• Erika S. Trapl, assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics and associate director of PRCHN;
• Darcy Freedman, associate professor of epidemiology and biostatistics and associate director of PRCHN;
• Kakul Joshi, a REACH strategy coordinator at the center; and
• PRHCN partners Morgan Taggart, Alison Patrick and Erika Meschkat.

Their paper discussed the results of a 2013 pilot study of 75 pregnant women who were less than 24 weeks pregnant at the time of enrollment and were patients at one of four clinics in East and Central Cleveland. After completing a baseline survey appointment, the women received their first produce prescription, a brief counseling/goal setting session and four $10 vouchers for use at a local farmers’ market. Women received new prescriptions, counseling and vouchers at three subsequent monthly visits and completed a post-survey at the end of the program. In addition to encouraging healthier food choices, the program connected participants with opportunities for additional economic assistance programs such as WIC, SNAP/EBT and Produce Perks.