Date

5-2025

Document Type

Capstone Project (Open Access)

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Department

Health, Human Services and Public Policy

Major

Collaborative Human and Health Services

First Advisor

Stephanie McMurtrie

Second Advisor

Hester Parker

Abstract

Chronic disease has notably increased among children and adults. The alarming trend is especially pronounced in low-income communities. Everyone’s Harvest is a non-profit organization founded in 2002. They work to improve access to affordable fruits and vegetables through farmers' markets, targeting lower-income individuals. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate one of Everyone’s Harvest’s community food programs, Fresh Rx. Fresh Rx is a collaboration with healthcare providers in which doctors prescribe $35 worth of fruits and vegetables weekly for 19 weeks to patients with chronic diet-related illnesses. It was essential to learn if patients coming to the market and selecting their produce is more beneficial than picking up a produce box with produce chosen by an Everyone’s Harvest employee. The evaluation consisted of three focus groups—East Salinas and Seaside were the chosen locations for the focus groups due to their high enrollment. The outcomes of this project showed that patients would prefer to come to the market and select their produce; however, it also revealed improvements moving forward. The Results presented Fresh Rx’s impact on improving health and nutrition education. They also reinforced our expected outcomes. Communities that live in low-income neighborhoods are more prone to chronic disease. However, it is also essential to consider the most significant barrier, economic hardships, which prevent community members from eating healthily. Moving forward, Everyone’s Harvest should continue working with Fresh Rx and provide more nutritional education that connects cultural food to new produce in the market.

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