What is PhytoRx Families studying for food security and healthy eating?

PhytoRx Families is studying how providing fresh produce and nutrition education affects fruit and vegetable intake, health measures, and healthcare use among families in rural North Carolina facing food insecurity. North Carolina State University leads this research to help address barriers to healthy eating in these communities. Participants can help by joining this pilot program to explore these impacts.

Who may be eligible for this food security clinical trial?

Participants must be between 8 and 64 years old, either a school-aged child (8 to 14 years) or an adult caregiver of such a child. Eligibility requires fluency in English or Spanish, living in certain North Carolina counties, and being at risk for food insecurity. Please review eligibility criteria for more details.

Is there any cost to participate in this food security clinical trial?

Study-related care, including the produce boxes, nutrition classes, and all trial visits, is provided at no cost. Personal travel or other expenses may vary and are not guaranteed to be covered. Participants should consider their own costs when deciding to join.

Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable

Age: 8Years - 64Years

All Genders

Healthy Volunteers

ID07221045

PhytoRx Families Pilot Study to Improve Food Security and Increase Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Rural North Carolina

Led by North Carolina State University · Updated on 2025-10-27

Participants Needed

Research Sites

N/A

Total Duration

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to explore how PhytoRx Families, an innovative produce prescription program, can impact nutrition, health, and healthcare use among families in rural North Carolina facing food insecurity. The study focuses on adults and school-aged children, addressing barriers like limited access to affordable healthy food in lower-resourced rural communities. Participants include 30 adult-child pairs with children aged 8 to 14 years. Healthcare providers at local clinics will refer eligible families who screen positive for food insecurity. The program provides fresh produce boxes and nutrition education over a 16-week period, aiming to improve fruit and vegetable intake and related health outcomes. During the study, participants will complete dietary recalls and health assessments at the start and end of the 16 weeks. Researchers will measure fruit and vegetable intake, diet quality, food security, blood pressure, HbA1C, body mass index, and various nutrition-related behaviors. The study will also track healthcare usage and evaluate changes over the intervention period.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

A Food As Medicine Approach to Address Food Insecurity in Rural North Carolina

Who Can Participate

Age: 8Years - 64Years

All Genders

Healthy Volunteers

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify if you...

Fluent in English or Spanish (speaking, reading, writing)
Adult (18 years or older) who is a parent or caregiver of a child aged 8 to 14 years, or a child aged 8 to 14 years
Served at a participating clinic in counties where the program is implemented (Bertie, Halifax, Lenoir, Northampton, or Wayne Counties)
Living in a county where the program is implemented (Bertie, Halifax, Lenoir, Northampton, or Wayne Counties)
Able to receive and use a box of fresh produce and participate in nutrition education classes
Willing and able to provide written consent and participate in all study activities

You will not qualify if you...

Adults not at risk of food insecurity
Adults who are not parents or caregivers of a child aged 8 to 14 years
Adults unable or unwilling to fully participate (e.g., with severe dietary restrictions due to advanced kidney disease)

Research Team

Basheerah Enahora, PhD

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