Pediatric Food Is Medicine for Families with Food Insecurity

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This interventional study investigates how to increase usage and acceptability of Food Is Medicine programs for families with children aged 2-6 who experience food insecurity and receive Medicaid. The trial compares several delivery approaches, including delivered produce prescriptions and delivered healthy meal kits, against standard mobile market vouchers. It is conducted through pediatric practices serving a high Medicaid population in Buffalo, NY, with three practice partners. Researchers will assess which program is used most consistently and how the different approaches affect program uptake, satisfaction, and household food security. The study aims to generate actionable insights to improve utilization of food prescription interventions in young children at risk for nutrition insecurity.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* parent or primary caregiver of a child aged 2-6
* child must receive Medicaid benefits
* child must receive pediatric care at one of the study's 3 pediatric practice partners
* participant must screen positive for food insecurity using the two-item food security measures on NYS Medicaid Accountable Health Communities (AHC) Health-Related Social Needs Screening Tool): 1.) Within the past 12 months, you worried that your food would run out before you got money to buy more (Often true, Sometimes true, Never true), and 2.) Within the past 12 months, the food you bought just didn't last and you didn't have money to get more (Often true, Sometimes true, Never true).
* participant must be responsible for at least 50% of the household food shopping
* participant must be able to store and prepare food in their home

Exclusion Criteria:

* families with severe food allergies
* parents who report their child aged 2-6 is diagnosed with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD), or dysphagia
* parents who report their child aged 2-6 is diagnosed with any conditions they feel would limit their child's eating/feeding to the point they are unable to participate in this study
* individuals who do not speak English or Spanish fluently
* households receiving nutrition services through NYS Medicaid 1115 waiver or similar free programs providing produce prescriptions or meal kits will be excluded until these free nutrition services end as these services would be duplicative of the interventions offered through this study

Where it's running

• University at Buffalo
  Buffalo, New York, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Lucia Leone, PhD
• Email: lucialeo@buffalo.edu
• Phone: 716-829-6953

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.