University At Buffalo Campus Veggie Van Mobile Market

NCT06681909 | Active Not Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: 1R21MD019367-01R21MD019367
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 125
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this observational study is to develop an adaptable mobile produce market model to be used on college campuses to increase college students' access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Food insecurity on college campuses threatens academic success and student well-being, and affects first generation, lower-income, and racial/ethnic minority students at higher rates. This research will include a pilot campus mobile market operated on the University at Buffalo campus. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1.) What makes it hard for students to eat healthy foods on the University at Buffalo campus, 2.) How does a mobile market need to operate on a college campus to best reach students, and 3.) What is the relationship between mobile market use and changes in how many fruits and vegetables students eat, students' ability to consistently eat foods that promote health and well-being, and participation in the Special Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Conditions

Food Habits; Food Selection

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Fruit and Vegetable Consumption

  Fruit and vegetable consumption will be assessed using the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Fruit and Vegetable (FV) module

  Collected at baseline and after the 13-week intervention period

• Nutrition Security

  The Nutrition Security, Healthfulness Choice, and Dietary Choice Measure assesses factors associated with the ability of an individual to obtain foods that meet their nutritional and health needs and dietary preferences, without resource limitations or worry. Barriers to utilization will be assessed with a measure developed by Calloway et al., which includes eight items that assess tangible and intangible barriers to preparing healthful meals from the food a person can access.

  Collected at baseline and after the 13-week intervention period

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Enrollment

  A single survey question asking: "Did you participate in the following programs during the \[semester before or during the intervention\]?: Food stamps (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP benefits), Special Supplemental Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits, Government cash assistance including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Social Security Insurance (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), or government assistance (but not including social security benefits).

  Collected at baseline and after the 13-week intervention period

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Intervention Dosage

  Collected throughout the 13-week intervention period

Other Outcomes (3)

• Process Measures

  Collected after the 13-week intervention period

• UB Campus Veggie Van Perceptions

  Collected after the 13-week intervention period

• Skin Carotenoids

  Collected at baseline and after the 13-week intervention period

Study Arms (1)

Food Insecure Students

Undergraduate students who reported high to moderate food insecurity, are at least 18 years of age, speak English, and plan to return to the University at Buffalo campus in Spring 2025 will receive weekly fruit and vegetable incentives encouraging them to shop at the UB Veggie Van (intervention). They will complete incentivized data collection after 13 weeks of the intervention (incentives/access to UB Veggie Van).

Behavioral: UB Campus Veggie Van

Interventions

UB Campus Veggie Van BEHAVIORAL

The UB Veggie Van is based on the Veggie Van, an evidence-based mobile produce market intervention. Mobile markets are like farmers' markets on wheels that travel to underserved communities selling high-quality, low-cost produce and healthy foods. The Veggie Van mobile market model was developed through multiple research studies on the efficacy, effectiveness, and implementation of the intervention, and is a multi-level intervention that addresses the five components of nutrition security (availability, accessibility, affordability, stability, and utilization). The UB Veggie Van is operated according to the Veggie Van model, with specific adaptations made to more effectively reach the campus community (Aim 1 of the larger funded study).

Also known as: UB Veggie Van

Food Insecure Students

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Food-insecure undergraduate students at the University at Buffalo in Buffalo, NY who are attending classes for the 2024-2025 school year.

You may qualify if:

• current students at the University at Buffalo
• completed the online campus survey (Aim 1 of larger funded project)
• experienced food insecurity during Spring 2024
• undergraduate students
• at least 18 years of age
• speak English
• must plan to return to the University at Buffalo campus in Spring 2025.

You may not qualify if:

• non-students
• non-English speaking
• students who will not return to campus in Spring 2025
• graduate students

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University at Buffalo: lead
• National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University at Buffalo

Buffalo, New York, 14214, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Feeding Behavior; Food Preferences

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior, Animal; Behavior

Study Officials

• Lucia Leone, PhD

  University at Buffalo

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 6, 2024
• First Posted: November 12, 2024
• Study Start: August 23, 2024
• Primary Completion: August 31, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 31, 2026
• Last Updated: February 14, 2025

Record last verified: 2024-11

Locations

US (1)