Implementation of the Navajo fruit and vegetable prescription programme to improve access to healthy foods in a rural food desert

Country: United States
State / Locale: Arizona, New Mexico, Utah
Population: Indigenous/First Nation
Community Engagement (IAP2 Spectrum): Collaborate
Equity: People Place Process Power

Study Description:
This paper explains how the Navajo Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Programme (Navajo FVRx) was developed using a community-based approach. The program aimed to improve people's access to healthy food. The approach involved working closely with the Navajo community, understanding their needs and resources, and getting input from different partners. People who could benefit from the program were identified by healthcare providers and invited to join. Participants received vouchers to buy fruits and vegetables from certain stores as part of the program. The Navajo FVRx program led to more families buying healthy foods from stores. Because of the increased demand, stores started stocking more fruits, vegetables, and traditional Navajo foods. The sales from the program grew from $10,130 in the first year to $48,771 in the following year, benefiting both the participating families and the entire community. The leaders and partners of the project aimed to make a program with three important ideas: helping people have healthier diets, focusing on what's best for the patients, and letting each site decide how the program should work for them. By following these principles, each Navajo FVRx site could design the program in a way that suited their community. This approach aimed to make the program effective and adaptable.

Sundberg, M. A., Warren, A. C., VanWassenhove-Paetzold, J., George, C., Carroll, D. S., Becenti, L. J., ... & Shin, S. S. (2020). Implementation of the Navajo fruit and vegetable prescription programme to improve access to healthy foods in a rural food desert. Public health nutrition, 23(12), 2199-2210.