Breaking down barriers to healthy eating
Insights from the Fruit & Vegetable Prescription Program pilot
At Doctors For Nutrition, we believe access to healthy food is a basic right—not a privilege. Yet for many people, cost and access to fresh, nourishing food put it out of reach, making healthy eating difficult. The Fruit & Vegetable Prescription Program pilot was designed to change that—moving beyond advice and into action by putting fresh food directly into people’s hands, and improving both food and health equity in the process.
Funded through a generous grant and launched in late 2025, we partnered with a local general practitioner clinic and fresh produce delivery service, Wonky Box. The six-week pilot explored how increasing access to fresh fruit and vegetables could support people managing, or at risk of, chronic health conditions who were also experiencing financial or access challenges.
The issue
Adequate fruit and vegetable intake is fundamental to maintaining health; however, findings from the 2024/25 New Zealand Health Survey[1] indicated that approximately 95% of adults did not meet the recommended combined intake of vegetables (3+ servings) and fruit (2+ servings) per day. While the New Zealand Health Survey 2018/19 and 2019/202[2] indicated that adults living in areas of high deprivation were less likely to meet these recommendations and more likely to consume less healthy foods and drinks.
The ongoing cost-of-living crisis is contributing to rising rates of diet-related illness and food insecurity. For many households, prioritising fresh produce has become increasingly difficult, with the cost of fruit and vegetables in August 2025 rising by 8.9%[3] compared with the same period the previous year. Given that calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods are often available at lower prices than fruit and vegetables, it is unsurprising that affordability drives food choices. However, this pattern perpetuates poor health outcomes and places an unsustainable burden on future health systems.
A practical approach to prevention and care
Recruitment for the pilot commenced in October 2025, and over the six-week period, 61 participants received a free large box of fresh fruit and vegetables delivered to their homes each week, fully funded by our generous grant funder. The box was large enough to be shared with the whole family.
“Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this. It was great.
Alongside the produce deliveries, participants also received a practical nutrition education pack designed to help build confidence in preparing healthy meals, increasing fruit and vegetable intake, and making sustainable dietary changes over time.
Measuring impact
To better understand the impact of the pilot, participants completed baseline and follow-up assessments across a range of measures related to dietary intake, food access, and well-being. These assessments helped capture both practical and personal outcomes associated with improved access to fresh produce over the six-week period.
Program outcomes
Participant engagement throughout the pilot was strong, with a 66% program completion rate. Of the 40 participants with matched pre- and post-program dietary assessment scores, almost half demonstrated improvements in dietary intake quality over the course of the program. Notably, participants experiencing financial hardship showed even greater positive changes compared to others, highlighting the important role that improved access to affordable fresh produce can play in supporting healthier dietary patterns and reducing inequities in nutrition outcomes.
Across all measures, respondents reported strong perceived benefits from the program, with consistently positive outcomes observed throughout the evaluation. Participants reported feeling better as a result of the intervention, noting that eating a variety of fruits and vegetables made them feel good and positively affected their mood and overall sense of well-being. Many also reported increased confidence in their ability to eat for their health since taking part in the program.
Wonky Box was chosen for its commitment to fighting food waste, seasonal and sustainable produce and connecting growers directly with consumers. We were delighted to learn that, based on average weekly box weights, the program helped divert more than 3,475 kilograms of fresh produce from going to waste. The produce was sourced from 38 different growers across New Zealand, providing additional support for local producers.
Thank you so much, I loved my Wonky Box so much I’ve now subscribed to it
Positive feedback from participants and clinicians
Feedback from both healthcare providers and participants was overwhelmingly positive.
General practitioners involved in the pilot reported that recruitment was straightforward and that the supporting materials were practical and useful within the clinic setting.
Participants also shared the meaningful difference the program made in their daily lives.
My family and I really appreciated receiving the produce boxes for the 6 weeks. Thank you. It made a huge difference for us.
Addressing barriers to healthy eating
For many people, knowing what foods support good health is only part of the picture. Cost, transport, availability, time, and confidence in preparing meals can all impact food choices and long-term health outcomes.
“For me the most beneficial thing was the economic impact of receiving the Wonky Box. Because I was not restrained due to the price of fruit and vegetables, I was eating a great variety of foods I normally don’t buy due to my budget. So my diet during the 6 weeks of delivery was very interesting and enjoyable.
The Fruit & Vegetable Prescription Program aimed to reduce some of these barriers by making healthy food more accessible and convenient. Home delivery ensured participants could regularly access fresh produce, while the educational resources provided practical guidance to support lasting behaviour change.
By combining access with education, the pilot recognised that improving nutrition outcomes requires supportive environments—not just individual motivation.
Supporting healthier communities
A diet rich in fruit and vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of many chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. Yet many Australians and New Zealanders continue to fall short of recommended daily intakes, particularly in communities experiencing disadvantage.
Programs like this demonstrate the important role healthcare settings can play in supporting access to good nutrition as part of chronic disease prevention and management.
The pilot also highlights the growing interest in “food as medicine” approaches—recognising that access to nourishing food can be a powerful tool for improving health and wellbeing.
Looking ahead
The Fruit & Vegetable Prescription Program pilot provided an opportunity to explore how healthcare providers, community organisations, and food delivery services can work together to support healthier communities. While modest in scale, the pilot reflects an important shift toward more practical, preventative, and equity-focused models of care—helping ensure that healthy choices are more accessible for everyone.
Thank you for the delicious fruit and veggies. My whānau certainly did enjoy participating in the program.
We are pleased to have secured further funding to expand this work. The next phase will include cooking demonstrations based on weekly produce boxes, alongside nutrition education delivered by a registered nutritionist. We look forward to continuing to build practical, community-based approaches that support healthier eating habits and improved long-term health outcomes for all.
