New report and presentation: Community participant evaluation of Colorado produce incentive programs
August 10, 2023
Plenty of data shows that produce incentive programs increase fruit and vegetable consumption, but do they create economic mobility and liberation for program participants? Join us for a virtual presentation on Tuesday, August 22 from 2 - 3:30 p.m. to learn more about recent research that centers community voices in evaluating such programs across Colorado. Register to attend.
Sometimes called bonus dollars, market bucks, produce vouchers, or nutrition incentives, produce incentive programs offer participants with low incomes the opportunity to buy fruits and vegetables with matching funds or sometimes at no cost, while the vendor receives full compensation for their products. The 14-month evaluation examined how these Colorado programs affect choice and agency, economic freedom, and well-being of families and individuals who participate – and identified several insights and recommendations from the community participants. Read the executive summary or the full report.
The Healthy Food Incentives project team led this research effort. They are part of the Blueprint’s Workgroup 2/3, focused on increasing access to healthy food in Colorado communities, with statewide participation from community members, grassroots organizations, and other entities.