Researchers in Delaware tested a new program that gives pregnant women free, healthy food delivered to their homes. Seven women who finished the program shared their experiences in interviews. They said the program helped them eat better, worry less about affording food, and feel more supported. A special part of the program was having community health workers—people from their own neighborhoods—help them understand nutrition and connect with other resources. Women loved that the food was high quality and delivered conveniently, though some wished the program lasted longer and offered more snack choices. This research shows that giving pregnant women access to healthy food, combined with personal support, can improve not just their nutrition but also their mental health and financial stability.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How a program that provides free healthy food to pregnant women affects their health, food security, eating habits, and overall well-being
  • Who participated: Seven women in Delaware who were pregnant and participated in the Food is Medicine pilot program, interviewed after they gave birth
  • Key finding: Women reported significant improvements in having enough food to eat, eating healthier meals, feeling less stressed, and having better emotional well-being. They especially appreciated the personalized support from community health workers and the convenience of home delivery
  • What it means for you: If you’re pregnant or know pregnant women, this suggests that programs combining free healthy food with personal support from trusted community members may help improve health outcomes. However, this is a small study, so more research is needed before making major program changes

The Research Details

This study used a qualitative research approach, which means researchers focused on understanding people’s personal experiences and stories rather than collecting numbers and statistics. Seven women who had recently given birth were interviewed one-on-one about their experiences in the Food is Medicine program during their pregnancy. The researchers asked open-ended questions and listened carefully to their answers, then looked for common themes and patterns in what the women said.

The researchers organized all the information they collected into five main categories and 25 different themes. This method is like organizing a collection of stories to find what lessons they teach. The goal wasn’t to prove something works for everyone, but to deeply understand how the program affected these particular women’s lives.

This research approach is important because it captures the real, lived experiences of pregnant women in a way that numbers alone cannot. It helps us understand not just whether a program works, but how it works and why it matters to the people using it. This kind of detailed feedback is valuable for improving programs and making sure they meet people’s actual needs

This is a small study with only seven participants, so the findings apply specifically to these women and may not be true for all pregnant women everywhere. The study was conducted in Delaware with a specific program, so results might be different in other places. However, the detailed interviews and careful analysis of the responses make the findings trustworthy for understanding how this particular program affected these women. This type of study is best used to explore new ideas and understand experiences, not to prove something works for large populations

What the Results Show

Women in the program reported major improvements in food security—meaning they had enough healthy food to eat and didn’t worry as much about affording groceries. They described eating healthier meals and making better food choices because of the program. Beyond just nutrition, women reported feeling less stressed and anxious, and having better emotional well-being overall.

A key strength of the program was the involvement of Community Health Workers—people from the women’s own communities who provided personalized guidance and support. These workers helped women understand nutrition in a way that made sense for their lives and connected them with other helpful resources. Women also appreciated that the food was high quality, delivered conveniently to their homes, and that the program treated them with respect and dignity.

The women felt that the program acknowledged their challenges and supported them as whole people, not just as pregnant women needing food. This holistic approach—addressing food, finances, mental health, and social support together—appeared to be particularly valuable to participants.

Women identified several areas for improvement. They wanted the program to last longer than it did, suggesting the benefits were significant enough that they wanted continued support. Some wished there were more snack options available. Additionally, some women mentioned communication gaps, particularly around setting health goals and understanding what other resources were available to them. These findings suggest that while the core program was strong, there are practical ways to make it even better

This research adds to growing evidence that ‘Food is Medicine’ programs—which provide healthy food as a health intervention—can help pregnant women and their families. Previous research has shown that food insecurity (not having enough food) is linked to poor pregnancy outcomes, so programs addressing this make sense. This study is unique because it specifically looks at how these programs affect pregnant women’s emotional well-being and social support, not just nutrition. It also highlights the importance of community health workers, which aligns with other research showing that trusted messengers from one’s own community are particularly effective

This study has several important limitations to keep in mind. First, it’s very small—only seven women—so we can’t say these results apply to all pregnant women or all communities. Second, the women were interviewed after they had already given birth, so they were remembering their experiences from pregnancy, which might not be perfectly accurate. Third, the study only includes women who completed the program, so we don’t know how women who dropped out felt about it. Finally, this was a pilot program in Delaware, so results might be different in other states or communities with different resources and populations

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, pregnant women experiencing food insecurity may benefit from Food is Medicine programs that combine free healthy food with personalized support from community health workers. However, because this is a small study with limited participants, these findings should be considered promising but not definitive. More research with larger groups of women is needed before making widespread program changes. If such a program is available in your area, it appears to be worth trying, especially if you’re struggling with food costs or want additional support during pregnancy

This research is most relevant to pregnant women who struggle to afford healthy food, healthcare providers who work with pregnant women, public health officials designing programs for maternal health, and community organizations serving pregnant women. It’s less relevant to women with secure food access and stable incomes, though the emotional support and community connection aspects might still be valuable. Healthcare providers should consider screening pregnant patients for food insecurity and connecting them with available resources

Based on the women’s reports, benefits appeared to develop over the course of the pregnancy as they participated in the program. Improvements in food security and eating habits likely happened relatively quickly—within weeks to a couple of months. Emotional and mental health improvements seemed to develop more gradually as women built trust with their community health workers and felt supported. Most women wanted the program to continue beyond what was offered, suggesting that ongoing support may be important for maintaining benefits

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly food security by rating how often you worried about affording healthy food (scale of 1-10), and log the number of home-delivered healthy meals received. Also track mood and stress levels 2-3 times per week to monitor emotional well-being changes
  • Use the app to set one personalized nutrition goal each week based on guidance from your community health worker or healthcare provider. Log meals and snacks to see patterns in your eating habits. Use the app to schedule and prepare for community health worker visits, and document questions or resource needs before appointments
  • Create a monthly summary view showing trends in food security, eating patterns, and emotional well-being. Set reminders for regular check-ins with your healthcare provider to discuss progress. Track which types of support (food delivery, health worker visits, resource connections) had the biggest impact on your well-being, so you know what to prioritize if the program changes

This research describes experiences from a small group of seven women in a specific Delaware program and should not be considered medical advice. Pregnant women should always consult with their healthcare provider about nutrition, food safety, and health concerns during pregnancy. While this study suggests Food is Medicine programs may be beneficial, individual results vary. If you’re pregnant and struggling with food access, talk to your doctor or midwife about available resources in your community. This article is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical guidance.