Researchers tested whether an online grocery shopping program could help low-income families with children buy more fruits and vegetables. They worked with 59 families who qualified for food assistance programs and tried four different approaches: free delivery, helpful text messages, discounts for healthy foods, and shopping list suggestions. Most families found the program easy to use and helpful, with 90% saying the tutorial was useful and 82% finding the text messages valuable. While less than half created an online account, the results suggest this type of program could work well if expanded to help more families access healthier foods.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether an online grocery shopping program with different support options could help low-income families buy more fruits and vegetables
  • Who participated: 59 primary food shoppers (mostly parents) from households earning at or below 130% of the poverty line who had children eligible for SNAP food assistance
  • Key finding: Nearly half of participants (47%) set up an online grocery account, and 90% found the tutorial helpful. Most people (82%) found the text message tips useful, suggesting families liked the program even if not everyone used it
  • What it means for you: Online grocery programs with text message support and discounts may help low-income families buy healthier foods more easily, though making it even simpler to sign up could help more people participate

The Research Details

Researchers conducted a small test study with 59 families over 8 weeks from October to December 2022. They divided families into four groups, each receiving different types of help: one group got free delivery, another received encouraging text messages about healthy shopping, a third got discounts when buying fruits and vegetables online, and the last group received suggested shopping lists. All groups could use the same online grocery service. The researchers measured success by checking how many people created accounts, watched instructional videos, and what they thought about the program afterward.

This type of study is called a pilot study, which means it’s a small test run before doing a bigger, more expensive research project. The researchers wanted to see if the program was actually doable and if people would like it, rather than proving it definitely works.

Testing a program with a small group first helps researchers understand what works and what needs improvement before spending money on a large study. This approach saves time and resources while giving real families a chance to try the program and provide feedback about what’s helpful and what’s confusing.

This study has some strengths: it included real families facing real challenges with food budgets, it tested multiple different approaches to see which might work best, and it asked people directly what they thought about the program. However, the study was small (only 59 families) and only lasted 8 weeks, so we can’t be sure these results would work the same way for larger groups or over longer periods. The study didn’t measure whether families actually bought more fruits and vegetables or improved their health, only whether they liked the program.

What the Results Show

When researchers looked at how many people actually used the online grocery program, they found that 47% of families created an online account. This is considered medium-high feasibility, meaning the program was doable but there’s room for improvement. More encouragingly, 61% of participants watched the instructional tutorial video, and 90% of those who watched it said it was helpful.

The text message part of the program worked really well. Every single participant received the text messages, and 82% said they found them useful. This suggests that sending helpful tips via text is an easy way to reach families and give them information they actually want.

When researchers asked families what they thought about the program overall, the results were very positive. People said they liked having the option to shop online, appreciated the support they received, and found the program easy to understand. This high level of satisfaction is important because it means families would likely use a program like this if it were available to them.

The study tested four different support strategies to see which ones families preferred. While the paper doesn’t break down exactly which group did best, the fact that all four approaches had high satisfaction rates suggests that families benefit from having choices in how they get support. Some might prefer discounts, others might like the convenience of free delivery, and many appreciated the personalized shopping list suggestions.

This research builds on earlier studies showing that low-income families want to buy healthier foods but face barriers like transportation, time, and cost. Previous research suggested that online shopping could help, but nobody had tested whether adding text message support and discounts would actually work in real life. This study is one of the first to test these specific combinations of help for low-income families.

The study was small with only 59 families, so the results might be different with more people. It only lasted 8 weeks, so we don’t know if families would keep using the program over months or years. The researchers didn’t actually measure whether families bought more fruits and vegetables or whether their health improved—they only measured whether people liked the program and used it. The study took place during October to December, which includes the holiday season when shopping habits might be different. Finally, all participants lived in one area and qualified for SNAP, so results might not apply to all low-income families everywhere.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, online grocery programs with text message support appear promising for helping low-income families access healthier foods. If such a program becomes available in your area, it may be worth trying, especially if it includes free or discounted delivery and helpful shopping tips. However, this is still early-stage research, so think of it as a helpful tool rather than a proven solution. (Confidence level: Moderate—this is a small pilot study, not yet proven at a larger scale)

This research is most relevant for low-income families with children who struggle to afford or access fresh fruits and vegetables. It’s also important for policymakers and program designers who want to help families on food assistance programs. Healthcare providers working with low-income patients might also find this helpful. People with higher incomes or those without access to internet or smartphones may not benefit from this specific approach.

If you started using an online grocery program like this, you might notice changes in your shopping habits within a few weeks. However, meaningful changes in diet quality and health typically take several months to become noticeable. The families in this study participated for 8 weeks, which is a reasonable timeframe to see if the program fits into your routine.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly fruit and vegetable purchases by counting the number of different types bought each week. For example, log ‘apples, broccoli, carrots, bananas’ each time you shop. This gives you a simple number to watch increase over time.
  • Set a weekly reminder to review suggested shopping lists in the app before you shop. Pick one new fruit or vegetable from the suggestions each week to try. This small change makes healthy shopping feel less overwhelming.
  • Create a simple chart showing how many different fruits and vegetables you buy each month. Take a photo of your grocery receipt or shopping list once a week and save it in the app. Over 2-3 months, you’ll see patterns in what you’re buying and can celebrate progress.

This research describes a pilot program and has not yet proven that online grocery shopping definitively improves health outcomes. Results are based on a small group of 59 families over 8 weeks and may not apply to all populations or situations. Before making major changes to how you shop or eat, consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian, especially if you have specific health conditions. This information is educational and should not replace professional medical advice. If you’re struggling with food security, contact your local SNAP office or food bank for additional resources.