Good Food at Home Indianapolis: A Fruit and Vegetable Incentive Model Comparing Brick-and-Mortar to Online Ordering

Food insecurity and limited access to affordable fruits and vegetables contribute to lower fruit and vegetable consumption and higher rates of chronic disease, particularly among individuals with lower incomes. A new research brief, Good Food at Home Indianapolis: A Fruit and Vegetable Incentive Model Comparing Brick-and-Mortar to Online Ordering, examined strategies to increase fruit and vegetable intake by evaluating how different program models and redemption options affect participant use, purchasing behaviors, and satisfaction.

Using data from the Good Food at Home Indianapolis program, led by Partnership for a Healthier America, Altarum researchers compared a traditional fruit and vegetable box model with a transition to fruit and vegetable incentives. During the incentive phase, participants redeemed benefits through local brick‑and‑mortar grocery stores or an online grocery platform offering delivery and pickup options. The study assessed differences in incentive use, purchasing patterns, and satisfaction across program models and redemption methods.

This work was conducted in collaboration with Partnership for a Healthier America, Altarum, and Instacart, determining how incentive design and redemption options may influence fruit and vegetable incentive uptake and participant experience.