University of Massachusetts, Worcester
This randomized controlled trial will test whether providing medically tailored groceries for 6 months can improve depressive symptoms among adults with depression and food insecurity. The intervention under study is a 6-month, medically tailored grocery program provided by the Boston-based non-profit organization, Community Servings. Food boxes are mailed to participants' homes every two weeks and are designed by a registered dietitian nutritionists to support an individuals' health needs. Participants may also attend optional nutritional counseling sessions. In this randomized clinical trial, 300 adults with depression and food insecurity will be assigned to one of two groups. The intervention group will receive medically tailored grocery boxes delivered to their home every two weeks for six months (13 boxes total), along with nutritional counseling support. The comparison group will receive usual medical care plus a $30 monthly grocery gift card for six months to be used to purchase any products of their choice. Participants will be recruited from UMass Memorial and health centers associated with Community Care Cooperative in the greater Worcester area in Massachusetts.The main goal of the study is to determine whether the grocery program reduces symptoms of depression. The study will also examine effects on anxiety, food insecurity, diet quality, and healthcare use.
Food insecurity, defined as limited or uncertain access to adequate food for an active and healthy life, is strongly associated with poor mental health outcomes, including depression. Individuals experiencing food insecurity often face chronic stress, reduced dietary quality, and barriers to managing health conditions, all of which can worsen depressive symptoms. Despite this well-established relationship, there is limited rigorous evidence evaluating food-based interventions as a primary strategy to improve mental health. Medically tailored grocery (MTG) programs are an emerging "Food is Med…
Inclusion Criteria: * A depression diagnosis with active symptoms, defined as having a recent Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) screening of 5+, or no depression diagnosis but a recent PHQ-9 screening of 10+ * Experiencing food insecurity (could be either low or very low food security) * Lives in Central Massachusetts in Worcester County * Can prepare and cook meals independently, or has a family member or caregiver able to prepare food Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant women and women who are within one year postpartum at baseline. Women who become pregnant during trial will be allowed to…
13-box home grocery delivery (1 Welcome Box of pantry and spice staples and 12 grocery boxes) for a six-month intervention period; nutrition and other resources to sustain the benefit of the intervention.
$30/month food subsidy in the form of gift cards to Amazon or Hannaford grocery stores