Healthy Food Subsidies for Food Insecurity

Overseen By Carolyn Dunbar, MSc

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Calgary

Must not be taking: Carotenoid supplements

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, Meal-providing facility, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

552 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The British Columbia Farmers' Market Nutrition Coupon Program (FMNCP) provides lower-income households with coupons to purchase healthy foods at farmers' markets. This pragmatic randomized controlled trial (RCT) will examine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of two higher subsidies for healthy food ($54/weeek or $81/week), compared to the usual FMNCP healthy food subsidy ($27/week), on the diet quality (primary outcome), food insecurity, and other health-related outcomes of 276 parent-child dyads with lower incomes. 276 parent-child dyads who are enrolled in the FMNCP will be randomly assigned to one of the three subsidy arms. Participants will receive 16 weeks of coupons that can be redeemed over 26 weeks. Outcomes will be assessed in one parent (18-64 years) and child (6-17 years) from each household pre-, mid- and post-intervention.

Research Team

Dana Lee Olstad, PhD, RD

Principal Investigator

University of Calgary

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for lower-income parent-child dyads enrolled in the British Columbia Farmers' Market Nutrition Coupon Program. It's aimed at those who want to improve their diet quality and food security. Participants should include one parent aged 18-64 and a child aged 6-12 from each household.

Inclusion Criteria

Parent-child dyads must reside together ≥5 days/week

Have access to the internet and a camera

Are the only dyad in their household participating in the study

Exclusion Criteria

Participating in other trials that might interfere with the intervention

Expect a significant change in their household income or composition during the study

I plan to change my use of carotenoid supplements during the trial.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive coupons for healthy food subsidies for 16 weeks, which can be redeemed over 26 weeks. They are also invited to participate in optional nutrition skill-building activities.

26 weeks

Bi-weekly coupon distribution

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for diet quality, food insecurity, and other health-related outcomes post-intervention.

1-2 weeks

Final assessment visit

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Healthy Food Subsidy: $27/household/week
• Healthy Food Subsidy: $54/household/week
• Healthy Food Subsidy: $81/household/week

Trial Overview The study tests the impact of increasing healthy food subsidies to $54 or $81 per week, compared with the usual $27 per week, on diet quality and health outcomes. Over 16 weeks, participants will use coupons at farmers' markets and have their diets assessed before, during, and after intervention.

Participant Groups

Group I: SUBSIDY-3 Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants in this group will receive 16 weeks of coupons valued at $81/household/week, which is three times higher than the usual FMNCP subsidy. The subsidy will be provided in the form of coupons that can be used to purchase healthy foods at BC farmers' markets, including vegetables, fruits, dairy, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, vegetable and fruit plants, honey and herbs. Participants will also be invited to participate in nutrition skill-building activities (e.g. cooking and gardening classes) offered by community partners. Participation in these activities is optional, which is consistent with the existing FMNCP.

Group II: SUBSIDY-2 Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants in this group will receive 16 weeks of coupons valued at $54/household/week, which is two times higher than the usual FMNCP subsidy. The subsidy will be provided in the form of coupons that can be used to purchase healthy foods at BC farmers' markets, including vegetables, fruits, dairy, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, vegetable and fruit plants, honey and herbs. Participants will also be invited to participate in nutrition skill-building activities (e.g. cooking and gardening classes) offered by community partners. Participation in these activities is optional, which is consistent with the existing FMNCP.

Group III: SUBSIDY-Usual Active Control 2 Interventions

Participants in this group will receive 16 weeks of coupons valued at $27/household/week, which is the usual FMNCP subsidy. The subsidy will be provided in the form of coupons that can be used to purchase healthy foods at BC farmers' markets, including vegetables, fruits, dairy, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, vegetable and fruit plants, honey and herbs. Participants will also be invited to participate in nutrition skill-building activities (e.g. cooking and gardening classes) offered by community partners. Participation in these activities is optional, which is consistent with the existing FMNCP.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Calgary

Lead Sponsor

Trials

827

Recruited

902,000+

British Columbia Farmers' Market Nutrition Coupon Program

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

290+

BC Association of Farmers' Markets

Collaborator

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Collaborator

Trials

1,417

Recruited

26,550,000+