FRESH-EATS Nutrition Program for Families in Low-Income Neighborhoods A Study of Healthy Eating and Food Access for Children Ages 8-12 and Their ParentsCaregivers

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the FRESH-EATS project, a community-based, multilevel intervention aimed at improving dietary behaviors in children ages 8-12 and their parents or caregivers living in low-income, predominantly minority neighborhoods. This randomized controlled trial compares the FRESH-EATS intervention to a Lagged Intervention Control Group to see if the intervention is feasible, well-received, and effective in promoting healthier eating habits. The FRESH-EATS intervention includes six weekly Cooking Mattersfor Families sessions featuring hands-on cooking and nutrition education, two family workshops addressing food access barriers, a food delivery budget with Walmart membership and gift cards, and community garden activities with fresh produce for cooking lessons. The control group receives a six-week education-only nutrition program before later accessing the full intervention components. Participants will complete assessments at baseline and about 6-8 weeks later to measure dietary behaviors of both parents and children. Additional evaluations include physical measurements like height and weight, social connectedness, resilience, food access perceptions, and blood pressure. The study lasts approximately 6-8 weeks from baseline with outcome evaluations at pre- and post-intervention time points.

FRESH-EATS Project