Mobile Market Vouchers for Food Insecurity

Overseen By Basheerah Enahora, PhD, MBA, RDN, LDN

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: North Carolina State University

Disqualifiers: Does not meet inclusion criteria

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 12-16 weeks

150 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to make healthy food more available and affordable for people in rural North Carolina who might struggle to get enough to eat. The Mobile Market Voucher Outcomes Study uses vouchers at mobile produce markets to help residents access fresh, nutritious foods. It targets those already part of certain local programs, facing food insecurity, and living or working in specific counties like Bertie, Halifax, or Lenoir. Participants must be willing to shop at the mobile market and use the monthly voucher provided. As an unphased study, this trial offers a unique opportunity to directly improve access to healthy food in the community.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems to focus on food access and does not mention medication changes.

What prior data suggests that this voucher program is safe for participants?

Research has shown that mobile produce markets, like the one in this study, are safe and easy to use. They have successfully helped people with low incomes access more fruits and vegetables. For example, in Rhode Island, these markets enabled people to buy fresh produce at lower prices.

Studies have also shown that distributing food vouchers can significantly reduce food insecurity. In one study, food insecurity dropped from 100% to just 5.9% in a few weeks. These programs help people eat healthier and increase their knowledge of good nutrition.

Overall, evidence suggests that using vouchers at mobile markets is safe and can improve access to healthy foods. No negative effects have been observed from these programs. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Mobile Market Voucher Outcomes Study because it takes an innovative approach to addressing food insecurity. Unlike traditional food assistance programs that might rely on food banks or direct food distribution, this study provides individuals with vouchers that can be used at mobile markets. This method empowers participants by giving them the freedom to choose the fresh produce and groceries that best meet their needs. By integrating this approach into existing community programs, the study hopes to promote healthier eating habits and improve nutrition among lower-resourced individuals.

What evidence suggests that mobile market vouchers are effective for improving food access?

Research has shown that providing vouchers for use at mobile markets can increase access to healthy foods. One study in the Twin Cities found that these programs improved diets and made food more accessible. Another study found that vouchers led to increased purchases of fruits and vegetables, resulting in better overall eating habits. These programs have also been associated with improved nutrition and reduced consumption of unhealthy foods. In this trial, participants will receive vouchers for mobile markets, and evidence suggests that this approach can effectively combat food insecurity and enhance health in rural areas. ^{1 3 5 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Basheerah Enahora, PhD, RDN, LDN

Principal Investigator

NC State University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals in rural communities at high risk of diet-related chronic diseases due to food insecurity. Participants will likely be from eight specific counties in North Carolina where access to healthy foods is limited.

Inclusion Criteria

An active participant in an NC Cooperative Extension program May 2025 - June 2027

At risk of food insecurity

Work or live in a North Carolina county where this study is being conducted, including Bertie, Halifax, Hertford, Jones, Lenoir, Northampton, Warren, or Washington

Exclusion Criteria

Individuals who do not meet the inclusion criteria above cannot participate

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive mobile market vouchers to purchase fresh produce and other healthy foods

12-16 weeks

Weekly visits to the mobile market

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for nutrition-related impacts and voucher redemption rates

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Mobile Market Voucher Outcomes Study

Trial Overview The study tests the impact of providing vouchers for a mobile market, Ripe for Revival, on improving diet and health among participants. It aims to make nutritious foods more affordable and accessible while supporting local food systems.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Voucher Recipients Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Voucher participants will be referred by Extension professionals who serve lower-resourced individuals during routine programs

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

North Carolina State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

38

Recruited

50,000+

East Carolina University

Collaborator

Trials

111

Recruited

42,400+

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07218978

Ripe for Revival: Outcomes Evaluation of a Mobile Produce ... Examine voucher redemption rates, volume and dollars of local produce purchased, and suggestions for mobile market improvements among Ripe for ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10200560/

Effectiveness of mobile produce markets in increasing ... Longitudinal transaction-level data are needed to continue to evaluate the impact of FOTM on food security, dietary quality and health outcomes. This study ...

3. bmjopen.bmj.com bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/3/e099414

Evaluating the impact of a full-service mobile food market ... The study evaluates the impact of a mobile market on diet quality, food security, and fruit/vegetable procurement, using the Twin Cities Mobile Market (TCMM).

4. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-food-security-7-2025-5a76c

Mobile Market Vouchers for Food Insecurity By implementing vouchers at the mobile market, this study will help make healthy food affordable and accessible. This project is poised to improve diet and ...

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2161831325001681

Healthy Food Voucher Programs: Global Evidence on ... HFVPs can complement policies aimed at reducing unhealthy food consumption, contributing to improved food security, dietary outcomes, and reducing nutritional ...

6. jpmph.org jpmph.org/journal/view.php?doi=10.3961/jpmph.23.505

Food is Medicine Initiative for Mitigating Food Insecurity in ... The results showed that food insecurity with a baseline value of 100% at week 0 decreased to 10.2% by week 3 of intervention and was at 5.9% by ...

7. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13549839.2024.2436024

contributions of mobile farmers markets to fresh food ... Our project, a partnership with a local non-profit, explores if and how a mobile farmers market in the Rust Belt Midwest reduces barriers to farmers market ...