Seattle’s Food Program Boosts Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Food Security

A recent study from the University of Washington highlights the positive impact of the City of Seattle's Fresh Bucks program on promoting healthier eating habits and improving food security among low-income residents. The initiative provides financial support that enables households to purchase fresh produce, ultimately leading to significant dietary improvements.

The Fresh Bucks program collaborates with local partners to facilitate access to nutritious foods by accepting applications from households earning less than 80% of the area median income, which in 2024 is below $110,950 for a family of four. Recipients receive a monthly benefit of $40, which can be redeemed at over 40 local retail outlets including farmers markets, Safeway stores, and other independent grocers.

The study, published in JAMA Network Open, reveals that households participating in the program experience a 31% increase in food security and consume at least three servings of fruits and vegetables more frequently—37% more often—compared to those on the program waitlist. Experts consider these findings remarkable, as such substantial changes in dietary behavior are rarely observed through other intervention methods.

Food insecurity, often linked to lower income, deprives households of access to nutritious foods, raising the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Poor diet quality, particularly inadequate fruit and vegetable intake, is a key contributor to premature disability and mortality caused by cardiometabolic conditions and cancer.

Robyn Kumar, the program manager for Fresh Bucks, emphasizes that the initiative significantly enhances healthy food access, resulting in better lifestyle outcomes for the community. The program's design targets particularly vulnerable populations by focusing on households affected by food insecurity and diet-related chronic diseases, diverging from typical federal assistance programs by allowing benefits to be used at various stores and eliminating the need for matching funds.

Analysis comparing households that received benefits versus those on the waiting list showed that losing access to Fresh Bucks led to a 29% decrease in food security and a 26% reduction in the likelihood of eating enough fruits and vegetables daily. These results underscore the importance of ongoing support to sustain nutritional improvements.

With increasing interest from health insurers in 'food is medicine' approaches, this research confirms that financial investment in such programs can produce meaningful health and dietary benefits. The findings highlight that without continued funding, the dietary improvements observed cannot be maintained, pointing to the essential role of economic resources in fostering healthier lifestyles.

The comprehensive study involved data from 1,973 households and was authored by researchers including Jessica Jones-Smith, Jamie Wallace, Barbara Baquero, and KeliAnne Hara-Hubbard, all affiliated with the University of Washington.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-food-fruit-vegetable-intake.html