Understanding Community Experiences with Food Access during COVID-19

 Access to fruits and vegetables is important for promoting the health of individuals and communities. However, in the District of Columbia, disparities in access persist and are related to numerous “upstream” structural inequalities, including the location of grocery stores, farmers markets, and other food sources; transportation access; and disparities in employment and income. The Produce Plus program provides access to free produce to DC residents who qualify for at least one government assistance program (e.g., SNAP, Medicaid, and WIC). Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Produce Plus provided vouchers to customers to use at participating farmers markets. During the 2020 season, Produce Plus shifted to providing primarily grab-and-go prepackaged produce via pickup or home delivery through contracts with 17 vendors. This evaluation examined customers’ experiences with the new version of the program, Produce Plus Direct (PPD), including the program’s influence on participants’ food access and food consumption.

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Sharing Community Visions for Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Education