(LB03-18-26) Nutritional Impact of a Tailored Produce Prescription Food-is-Medicine Intervention in Food-Insecure Black Communities in Maryland: Results From the THRIVE Pilot Study

Monday, July 27, 2026

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM ET

Location: Poster Board E-39

Presenting Author(s)

Shanshan Song, PhD

Staff
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Co-Author(s)

EO

ELOHOR OBOREVWORI, MD, MPH

Research Program Coordinator
Johns Hopkins School of Nursing
BALTIMORE, Maryland, United States
IO

Ihunanya Onukaogu

Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School, United States
CA

Chelsea Akubo, MPH

Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, United States
BO

Bunmi V. Ogungbe

Johns Hopkins University, United States

Disclosure(s):

Shanshan Song, PhD: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Objectives: To identify nutrient targets among food-insecure Black Maryland adults and evaluate the THRIVE pilot intervention effectiveness.

Methods: Black adults (≥18y) randomized to standard produce bag (Enhanced usual care [EUC], n=40) or tailored bag plus dietitian counseling and social resource linkages (THRIVE, n=40) for 24 weeks. Complete 24h dietary recalls (NDSR) at baseline/24wks analyzed. Baseline intake was compared against guidelines. Difference-in-Differences (DiD) regression estimated intervention effects (α=0.05). JHU IRB00427492.

Results: Both arms (30 EUC and 25 THRIVE) showed baseline inadequacies: total dietary fiber (46-61% AI¹), calcium (47-56% RDA²), potassium (57-68% AI¹), magnesium (63-81% RDA³), and omega-6 fatty acids (58-91% AI¹). Saturated fat (SFA) exceeded guidelines (9.2%-10.7%; AHA < 5-6%).
Among deficient nutrients (Table 1), dietary fiber (g/day) improved in both arms (EUC: +3.90; THRIVE: +2.14; DiD: -1.66). Calcium (mg/day) decreased in EUC (-93.51) but increased in THRIVE (+38.70; DiD: +140.10). Magnesium (mg/day) improved more in THRIVE (+56.69 vs. +11.33; DiD: +46.92). Potassium (mg/day) increased in both arms (EUC: +320.42; THRIVE +304.67; DiD: -8.87). Omega-6 (g/day) showed minimal changes (EUC: +0.62; THRIVE: +2.96; DiD: +2.26). SFA reductions were similar (EUC: -1.66%; THRIVE: -1.89%; DiD: -0.34%).
Table 1. Nutrition Targets Evaluation.

Nutrient	EUC Δ	THRIVE Δ	DiD	p
Deficient
Total Dietary Fiber (g/day)	3.90 (9.22)	2.14 (13.32)	-1.66 (3.10)	0.593
Calcium (mg/day)	-93.51 (390.96)	38.70 (440.43)	140.10 (112.06)	0.214
Magnesium (mg/day)	11.33 (173.51)	56.69 (161.22)	46.92 (44.63)	0.295
Potassium (mg/day)	320.42 (1062.66)	304.67 (968.78)	-8.87 (271.00)	0.974
Omega-6 Fatty Acids (g/day)	0.62 (7.54)	2.96 (13.42)	2.26 (2.98)	0.449
Excess
% Calories from SFA	-1.66 (5.16)	-1.89 (8.19)	-0.34 (1.89)	0.857

Conclusions: THRIVE pilot found no significant differences between tailored and standard produce bags on priority nutrients among food-insecure Black Maryland adults. Both groups improved in some nutrients, with favorable trends for calcium and magnesium in THRIVE. Larger studies are needed to assess FIM effects on nutrition security.

Notes:
RDA = Recommended Dietary Allowance
AI = Adequate Intake
1 = IOM 2005
2 = IOM 2011
3 = IOM 1997

Funding Sources: AHA 24FIM1264121