Validation of a Novel Method to Evaluate Community-Based Interventions That Improve Access to Fruits and Vegetables

Current evaluation tools are inadequate for assessing the impact of small-scale interventions, such as farmer's markets or community meal programs, on fruit and vegetable consumption. This study analyzes the pilot data of a novel tool designed to evaluate community-based programs' impact on fruit and vegetable consumption. Our research addresses the gap in effective evaluation methods for dietary behaviors within underserved populations.

The survey tool was developed through a participatory research approach involving interest holders and community members. We conducted a pilot survey across four community-based programs, validated the findings, and compared them against the data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

This pilot survey demonstrated a high completion rate of 98.2%. Notably, 62.5% of respondents reported an increased consumption of fruits and vegetables since participating in the programs and cited cost, time, and accessibility as primary barriers to healthy eating. There is a strong, though not significant, correlation of 0.876 (p = 0.12) between the pilot data of prevalence of daily fruit and vegetable consumption and the national average.

Our findings suggest the survey tool effectively captures dietary behaviors and the influence of community-based programs. Further research is required to enhance its applicability in diverse settings and extend robust impact evaluation methods for these programs.