Healthy eating patterns help people live longer, strengthen their immune systems, and have fewer chronic diseases.

However, many people have limited access to affordable, convenient places that offer healthier foods. This may include people living in lower-income urban neighborhoods, rural areas, and tribal communities, as well as some racial and ethnic groups. In 2021, nearly 34 million U.S. residents lived in food insecure households.

STRATEGY

The Penn State REACH project will work with partners in our catchment area to implement local level policies and activities that promote food service and nutrition guidelines, and associated healthy food procurement in facilities, programs, or organizations where food is sold, served, or distributed.

SHORT TERM OUTCOMES

When healthy items are not readily available, people may settle for unhealthy foods. The Penn State REACH project will work with partners to increase access to healthier foods.

LONG TERM OUTCOMES

In working with community partners (TBA) in our catchment area, the Penn State REACH team will work to increase improved health behaviors and outcomes through healthier food consumption in our priority population.

Only 1 in 10 US adults eat enough fruits and vegetables every day. Many groups have limited access to affordable, healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables.

These groups include people living in rural areas, tribal communities, and neighborhoods where most residents have lower incomes. In addition, people in some racial and ethnic groups may not have access to culturally preferred, healthy foods.

Two key, evidence-based public health strategies that improve consumption of fruits and vegetables are fruit and vegetable incentives and produce prescription programs. They are often coupled with education programs on food, cooking, and nutrition necessary for a healthy diet. These programs also increase market demand for fruits and vegetables, which can increase sales for local farmers, food hubs, aggregators, distributors, and retailers.

STRATEGY

The Penn State REACH project will work towards coordinating the uptake and expansion of existing fruit and vegetable voucher incentive and/or produce prescription programs.

SHORT TERM OUTCOMES

The Penn State REACH project will work with community partners to increase access to healthier foods.

LONG TERM OUTCOME

By helping to uplift programing related to fruit and vegetable voucher incentives and produce prescription programs, the Penn State REACH project will work with our community partners to improve health behaviors and outcomes through increasing access to affordable, fruits and vegetables in our catchment area.