• Renee Stein, Ramona K C Finnie, Stacy Harmon, Yinan Peng, Chelsea Pritchard, Heather Vecsey, Karen M Emmons, Stephen Hargarten, Melissa A Simon, Heidi M Blanck, Diane M Harris, Laura Bellows, Alisha Coleman-Jensen, Sheila Fleischhacker, Mallory M Koenings, Angela Odoms-Young, Hilary K Seligman, Clint Grant, Amanda Powell, and Community Preventive Services Task Force.
• Community Guide Program, Office of Scientific Evidence and Recommendations, Office of Science, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia. Electronic address: rstein1@cdc.gov.
• Am J Prev Med. 2024 Dec 2.

IntroductionFood and nutrition security is crucial for health, but many U.S. households experience food insecurity. This systematic review conducted in support of the Community Preventive Services Task Force examines the effectiveness of Fruit and Vegetable Incentive programs in reducing food insecurity, increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, and improving health outcomes among households with lower incomes.MethodsCommunity Guide systematic review methods were applied. Studies were identified through a literature search (inception of each database to February 2023). U.S. studies were included if they evaluated programs offering participants financial incentives to purchase fruit and vegetables; were designed for or implemented among populations with lower incomes; reported health-related outcomes; and were published in English as peer-reviewed articles or government reports.ResultsThis review included 30 studies. Thirteen of 14 datapoints from 12 studies indicated FVI programs reduced household food insecurity. Twenty-one of 29 datapoints from 23 studies showed increased FV consumption. Programs providing incentives to participants at risk for or with diet-related health conditions improved blood glucose levels by a median of 0.64 percentage points.DiscussionBased on the review findings, the Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends Fruit and Vegetable Incentive programs for populations with lower incomes to reduce household food insecurity, increase household fruit and vegetable consumption, and improve blood glucose levels in participants at risk for or with diet-related health conditions. Although the review did not find direct evidence of reducing health disparities, the Community Preventive Services Task Force expects that these programs will improve health equity across the U.S. by improving the affordability and accessibility of healthier foods for households with lower incomes.Published by Elsevier Inc.

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