Karishma Laffrey
Food insecurity is a public health concern in Detroit, particularly among low-income Black adults. Wayne County's food insecurity rate exceeds Michigan and national rates, while poverty, housing costs, transportation barriers, and unequal neighborhood investment limit access to nutritious foods. This proposal recommends the Detroit Mobile Produce Prescription Program, a two-year pilot enrolling 150 adults from high-need Detroit ZIP codes. Each participant will receive two produce boxes monthly for 12 months through mobile pickup sites supported by clinics, community organizations, Eastern Market, and community health workers. Nutrition guidance and culturally relevant recipe materials will accompany the boxes. A one-group pretest-posttest evaluation will collect data at baseline, six months, and 12 months. Outcomes will include fruit and vegetable intake, household food security, produce-box redemption, participation barriers, and satisfaction. Findings will guide program improvement and inform future investment in equitable, community-based food access strategies for Detroit residents and partner organizations across Wayne County.