Researchers tested whether giving families free fresh vegetables and fruits could help kids stay healthier. They studied 150 children from low-income families in Houston who were overweight. Some families got $25 in produce vouchers every two weeks, some got fresh produce delivered to their homes, and some didn’t get anything. After 8 months, families loved the program because it saved them money on groceries. Kids in the voucher group also showed improvements in their liver health. The study shows these programs work well and families want them, but scientists need to do bigger studies to prove they really help kids lose weight and stay healthy long-term.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether giving families free fresh produce through vouchers or home delivery helps kids who are overweight eat better and get healthier.
  • Who participated: 150 children ages 5-12 years old from low-income families in Houston, Texas who were overweight. They were split into three equal groups of 50 kids each.
  • Key finding: Kids whose families got produce vouchers showed improvement in liver health markers. Families in both groups said the program really helped them save money on groceries, with 95% of voucher families and 76% of delivery families finding it helpful.
  • What it means for you: Free produce programs appear to be popular with families and may help improve children’s health, especially liver function. However, this is a small pilot study, so we need bigger studies to confirm these benefits work for most kids. If your family qualifies for assistance programs, this type of produce support could help you eat healthier.

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is one of the best ways to test if something actually works. Researchers randomly divided 150 children into three groups to make sure the groups were similar at the start. One group got $25 in produce vouchers every two weeks that they could use at stores. Another group had fresh produce delivered to their homes every two weeks. The third group was a “wait-listed control,” meaning they didn’t get anything during the study but could join later. All groups except the control group also received nutrition education to help families learn about healthy eating. The study lasted 32 weeks (about 8 months).

The researchers measured many things to see if the program worked. They tracked how many families actually used the vouchers or received deliveries, whether families liked the program, and whether kids’ health improved. They looked at what kids ate, whether families had enough food, kids’ weight, blood sugar levels, liver health, and cholesterol levels.

This study design is strong because randomly assigning kids to different groups helps prove that any changes are from the program, not from other reasons. However, because this is a pilot study with only 150 kids, the results are preliminary and need to be confirmed with larger studies.

Understanding whether free produce programs actually help kids get healthier is important because many families struggle to afford fresh fruits and vegetables. If these programs work, they could be offered more widely through health insurance programs like Medicaid. This study specifically looked at kids who are overweight, which is important because childhood obesity is a growing health problem in the United States.

This study has several strengths: it used random assignment to groups, it measured many different health markers, and it tracked whether families actually used the program. However, it’s a small pilot study with only 150 kids in one city, so the results may not apply to all children everywhere. The study only lasted 8 months, so we don’t know if benefits continue longer. The researchers note that bigger, more rigorous studies are needed to confirm these findings.

What the Results Show

The voucher program worked very well—families used 88% of the $25 they received every two weeks, meaning they redeemed $353 out of $400 total. The home delivery program was also successful, with 100% of families receiving about 18 pounds (52 servings) of fresh produce each week. Both groups of families said the program helped them save money on groceries, with 95% of voucher families and 76% of delivery families finding it helpful.

When researchers looked at kids’ health, they found that children in the voucher group had improvements in a liver health marker called aspartate aminotransferase (AST). This marker decreased by an average of 5.50 points compared to kids who didn’t get the program. This improvement is statistically significant, meaning it’s unlikely to have happened by chance. Better liver health is important because the liver processes nutrients and helps keep the body healthy.

The home delivery group didn’t show the same liver improvement as the voucher group, though both groups received similar amounts of produce. The researchers aren’t sure why the voucher group did better—it might be because families felt more in control choosing their own produce, or other unknown factors. Kids in both groups didn’t show significant changes in weight or blood sugar levels during the 8-month study period, though this might change with longer follow-up.

The study measured several other health markers including cholesterol levels, blood sugar control, and weight changes. While these didn’t show major improvements in this short pilot study, the fact that kids didn’t get worse is encouraging. The researchers also found that families really liked both programs, with high satisfaction rates. The voucher model had slightly higher satisfaction (95% found it helpful) compared to home delivery (76%), possibly because families enjoyed choosing their own produce.

Previous research has shown that Food Is Medicine programs help adults improve their diet quality and reduce food insecurity. This is one of the first studies to test whether these programs work for children. The findings align with what we know about adults—that free produce programs are popular and help families save money. However, the health improvements in kids appear more modest than in some adult studies, which might be because kids’ bodies take longer to show changes, or because 8 months isn’t long enough to see major weight loss.

This study has several important limitations. First, it’s small with only 150 kids in one city (Houston), so results may not apply to children in other places. Second, the study only lasted 8 months, so we don’t know if benefits continue or improve over time. Third, kids didn’t show major changes in weight or blood sugar, which are important health markers. Fourth, we don’t know why the voucher group improved more than the home delivery group. Finally, the study didn’t track whether families continued eating healthy after the program ended. Researchers note that bigger, longer studies with stricter designs are needed to prove these programs really help kids lose weight and stay healthy.

The Bottom Line

Based on this pilot study, free produce programs appear safe and well-liked by families (HIGH CONFIDENCE in feasibility). The programs may help improve liver health in children (MODERATE CONFIDENCE, needs larger studies). If you have a child who is overweight and your family qualifies for Medicaid or assistance programs, asking your doctor about Food Is Medicine programs could be worth exploring. Combine the program with nutrition education and regular physical activity for best results.

This research is most relevant for families with low incomes who have children ages 5-12 who are overweight. It’s also important for doctors, school nurses, and public health officials who work with children. Policymakers should care because it suggests these programs are feasible and popular, potentially worth funding more widely. Families with higher incomes may still benefit from produce programs, but this study specifically tested low-income families.

In this 8-month study, families immediately started using the produce (within weeks), and liver health improvements appeared within the study period. However, weight loss and other major health changes typically take 6-12 months or longer to become noticeable. Don’t expect dramatic changes in the first few weeks—think of this as a long-term investment in your family’s health.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily servings of fruits and vegetables consumed by your child (goal: 5+ servings per day). Use the app to log what produce was purchased or delivered and what meals included fresh fruits or vegetables. This creates accountability and helps you see patterns in eating habits.
  • If your family qualifies for a produce program, use the app to plan weekly meals around the produce you receive or purchase with vouchers. Set reminders to use vouchers before they expire and track which produce your child enjoys most. This helps maximize the program’s benefits and builds healthy eating habits.
  • Track weekly produce consumption, monthly grocery spending on fresh produce, and quarterly check-ins on how your child feels (energy levels, digestion, overall health). Compare spending before and after joining a produce program to see actual savings. Monitor your child’s weight and ask your doctor about liver health markers at annual check-ups.

This pilot study shows promising results but is small and short-term. The findings suggest Food Is Medicine programs are feasible and well-accepted, with some health improvements, but larger, longer studies are needed to confirm effectiveness for weight loss and long-term health outcomes. This research should not replace medical advice from your child’s doctor. If your child is overweight or has health concerns, consult with your pediatrician before making major dietary changes. Always speak with a healthcare provider before starting any new nutrition program, especially if your child has existing health conditions like diabetes or liver disease.