(P02-065-25) Dakota Food Rx: A Locally Grown Produce Prescription Pilot in Western South Dakota

Objectives: Poor diet is linked to increased morbidity and mortality from heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. To address some of the existing barriers to a healthy diet in rural communities, including cost and poor food accessibility, a produce prescription program pilot (“Dakota Food Rx”) was implemented in Western South Dakota to provide weekly, subsidized boxes of locally grown produce during the summer and fall to patients with low socioeconomic status (SES) and at risk of diet-related chronic disease.

Methods: Patients were referred to Dakota Food Rx by a physician or other prescribing healthcare provider if they met the criteria for low SES (e.g., using Medicaid or SNAP) and chronic disease risk (e.g., having hypertension or diabetes). Those who enrolled picked up produce at 1 of 3 farms in Spearfish (n=2) or Sturgis (n=1), SD. In addition to the produce, patients received nutrition education at pickups such as recipe handouts and occasional samples. The program’s process and impact evaluations were conducted via pre- and post-surveys to patients, and by interviewing select samples of patients, prescribers, and farmers involved in the program.

Results: Thirty families were enrolled in the pilot in summer and fall 2024, picking up 434 produce boxes in total (mean 14.5), valued at over $14,000. Ten pre- and 8 post-surveys were completed; respondents were primarily White or American Indian, non-Hispanic women between 35 and 79 years old. Participants surveyed after the program reported consuming more vegetables (p = 0.02) and tomato-based salsa (p = 0.03). Overall, participants rated their experience with Dakota Food Rx as a 4.6 on a 5-point Likert scale, and the interviews revealed that the program was overwhelmingly positive for all stakeholders. Several interviewed patients reported strategies to continue their dietary changes in winter, such as freezing or dehydrating excess produce and herbs.

Conclusions: The Dakota Food Rx pilot demonstrated success through high satisfaction and improved dietary intake. Future program goals aim to improve the recruitment and enrollment process and expand the program in other areas of the state. Future evaluations could investigate whether health status or biomarkers improve during the intervention.

Funding Sources: South Dakota Community Foundation