Participation in a fruit and vegetable prescription program for pediatric patients is positively associated with farmers’ market shopping

Objectives: The primary objective was to investigate the association between participation in a farmers’ market fruit and vegetable prescription program (FVPP) for pediatric patients and farmers’ market shopping. Methods: This survey-based cross-sectional study assessed data from a convenience sample of 157 caregivers at an urban pediatric clinic co-located with a farmers’ market. Prescription redemption was restricted to the farmers’ market. Data were examined using chi-square analysis and independent samples t-tests. Results: Approximately 65% of respondents participated in the FVPP. Those who received one or more prescriptions were significantly more likely to shop at the farmers’ market during the previous month when compared to those who never received a prescription (p = 0.005). Conclusions: This is the first study to demonstrate that participation in a FVPP for pediatric patients is positively associated with farmers’ market shopping.