All but 4 of the 21 intervention participants interviewed reported challenges to picking up the produce box. Work schedules (n = 8), transportation (n = 4), and forgetting (n = 4) were the most common challenges. Distance, health issues, and out-of-town travel were also challenges. Similar challenges were listed for attending evening skill-building sessions; night classes and family activities often conflicted with evening attendance. The community agency had problems contacting participants with reminders because participants “graduated” from agency classes, and contact information changed frequently.
All intervention participants reported that they would be willing to pay $10 per week for a produce box in the future. Many were willing to pay more: 15 (71%) were willing to pay $15, 8 (38%) were willing to pay $20, and 3 (14%) were willing to pay $25. Of the 9 who reported receiving WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, 7 said they would be willing to use these benefits for the produce.
In an overall evaluation of the Farm Fresh Healthy Living program, 20 of 21 participants stated that if the program were conducted again, they would participate. In an open-ended question asking “What did you think of the program?,” all 21 responded positively. Responses included mention of the variety provided weekly, the chance to eat foods that were too expensive to purchase at the grocery store, the chance to expose children to new foods, and the better flavor of local produce compared with grocery store produce.
Debriefing results identified problems and possible solutions (Figure). Clarifying agency expectations and siting the program in agencies that are natural hubs of family activity (eg, community centers, day- or afterschool care centers) could improve participation and maintaining participant contact. Adapting produce box contents and size to participant preferences could make the program more effective and sustainable. More sensitive and specific evaluation methods could provide better understanding of the program’s impact on the overall household food system.