Quick take for physicians: Pediatric produce prescription programs show consistent gains in fruit and vegetable intake and food security. However, most studies are small pilots with heterogeneous designs and limited clinical endpoints—highlighting the need for standardized measures and scalable payment pathways.
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What the scoping review covered

The 2024 review synthesized U.S.-based pediatric programs delivering produce benefits (vouchers, cards, or boxes) via clinics and community partners. It mapped program design, target populations, evaluation methods, and outcomes.
Primary article ›
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Key findings

• Diet quality: Most programs increased children’s fruit and vegetable intake based on 24-hour recall or validated surveys.
• Food security: Frequent improvements in household food security compared with baseline.
• Clinical outcomes: Limited data; few studies reported BMI or biomarker outcomes, and follow-up was typically short.
• Design variation: Benefit size ranged roughly from $15 to $60 per month; delivery modes (cards, vouchers, or boxes) influenced redemption rates.
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Barriers and enablers

• Funding instability: Reliance on grants limits continuity and evaluation.
• Reimbursement gaps: Medicaid pilots exist but remain inconsistent; few standardized payer pathways.
• Logistics: Transportation and redemption friction reduce uptake; produce boxes help but require reliable delivery.
• Education & engagement: Brief RD coaching, culturally relevant recipes, and reminders improved adherence.
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Clinician playbook: how to act now

Practical steps

• Screen for food insecurity and low produce intake during well-child visits and chronic-care follow-ups.
• Enroll eligible families in local produce Rx programs or digital benefits; set simple weekly goals (e.g., 2–3 cups/day for children, age-adjusted).
• Support with brief RD counseling, recipe cards, and text reminders; consider bundled cooking classes.
• Measure diet quality, food security, and care engagement (missed visits, telehealth completion) to inform payers and partners.

Simple onboarding • Pediatric-focused outcomes • Proven adherence tools

FAQs

Which children should be prioritized?
Kids with food insecurity, low diet quality, obesity risk, or chronic conditions where diet quality matters (e.g., prediabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia).
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How large should the benefit be?
Programs ranged widely; many clinicians start around $30–$60/month in produce value, adjusted for local prices and family size.
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How do we drive adherence?
Reliable delivery or produce boxes, culturally tailored recipes, brief RD touchpoints, SMS reminders, and partnerships with local retailers or farmers markets.