The objective of this research study is to implement and evaluate a food pantry pilot program to improve access to food and overall diet quality in East Flatbush. This will be achieved through the implementation of a tailored, client-choice food pantry pilot program. The pilot program will specifically offer locally grown produce.
The objective of this study is to implement and evaluate a pilot intervention to improve access to food and overall diet quality in East Flatbush in Brooklyn, NY. This will be achieved through implementation of a tailored, client-choice pantry model pilot intervention among up to 100 individuals in which local, fresh produce is provided to participants on a weekly basis for 20 weeks. This project is a partnership between NYU and five community-based organizations (CBOs) and is the result of multi-year formative research with the partners and community. The pantry program will be evaluated using surveys and an objective measure of fruit and vegetable intake (i.e., skin carotenoid assessment via the Veggie Meter) at the start and end of the 20-week program. Through this pre-post evaluation, the investigators will assess the impact of the program on food security (primary outcome) as well as on fruit and vegetable intake and social connection (secondary outcomes). The findings will inform future implementations of client-choice pantry models by community-based organizations across New York City.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
250
Each week during the 20-week study period, participants will pick up a box of fresh vegetables. All produce will be provided to the participants at no cost as part of the client choice pantry program. Participants will take home approximately 6 different types of vegetables each week. Participants will choose which vegetables they want from a variety of options.
NYU Langone Health
New York, New York, United States
RECRUITINGChange in the percent of individuals who report that they are low or very low food security households
Outcome measure is assessed through a self-administered survey.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 20
Change in carotenoid levels
The Veggie Meter is a portable electronic device that uses a light scan of the participant's finger to measure carotenoid levels, a validated marker of fruit and vegetable intake across diverse populations.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 20
Change in social cohesion
Social cohesion will be self-reported using questions about the neighborhood and related social interactions
Time frame: Baseline, Week 20
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