VeggieRx and GroceryRx Produce Prescription Programs Evaluation in South Carolina

GroceryRx and VeggieRx were produce prescription programs implemented in partnership with FoodShare SC and Lowcountry Street Grocery in South Carolina from 2021 to 2025, aimed at improving diabetes care by promoting healthier diets and enhancing food security among patients with diabetes or prediabetes. Using a pre/post survey design, 327 of 744 enrolled participants completed both baseline and follow-up surveys after receiving at least 10 produce boxes. The cohort was predominantly women (73.4%) and Black patients (59.9%). After an average of six months, fruit and vegetable intake increased significantly, food insecurity scores improved, the proportion of nutritionally secure participants rose from 64.6% to 76.2%, and the percentage rating their health as “good” increased from 34.5% to 47.5% — all statistically significant. These findings suggest that produce prescription programs can meaningfully improve diet quality, food and nutrition security, and self-reported health among high-risk patients, though future research should explore long-term effects and scalability.