Using the FRESH Intervention to Improve Healthy Food Access in Baltimore and Washington, DC Neighborhoods

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a novel intervention called FRESH Focus on Restaurant Engagement to Strengthen Health to improve access to healthier foods in independently owned restaurants located in predominantly minority, low-income urban neighborhoods. This study aims to improve dietary quality and health indicators in African American and Latin communities while contributing to cancer prevention. The study also involves developing a system dynamics model to help stakeholders virtually test FRESH strategies in their own communities, potentially saving costs and supporting community-based cancer prevention efforts. The FRESH intervention is delivered over 16 months and includes activities such as training restaurant chefs in healthier cooking methods, partnering with suppliers to offer healthier ingredients, and providing point-of-purchase promotions to educate customers about healthier food options. Intervention staff will visit restaurants in person at least twice a month to build strong relationships with restaurant owners and chefs. Participating restaurants are randomly assigned to either receive the FRESH intervention or serve as a comparison group without the intervention. Participants in this study are regular customers of the enrolled restaurants who live in the study neighborhoods. They will be assessed for changes in dietary quality, measured by the Healthy Eating Index, with evaluations occurring 24 months apart. The study collects data on dietary habits and health indicators, and uses findings to inform the system dynamics simulation model. Participants involvement lasts up to two years, with ongoing monitoring and data collection to understand the interventions impact on healthy eating behaviors and related outcomes.

Systems Science Approaches to Improve Access to Healthier Foods: The FRESH Trial