Communication Strategies and Diet Intake Among Fruit and Vegetable Incentive Program Participants in Upstate New York: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Background and Objectives: Nutrition insecurity, driven by structural inequities, significantly contributes to disparities in dietary quality among underserved populations. Fruit and vegetable (F&V) incentive programs, like Double Up Food Bucks New York (DUFBNY), aim to reduce these disparities; however, limited program awareness remains a barrier. This study examined whether the initial communication channel (face-to-face interpersonal vs. mass communication) used to promote DUFBNY influenced participants' subsequent F&V intake. Methods: Participants (n = 417) completed a cross-sectional survey reporting demographics, initial communication channel exposure, and dietary intake via the validated Dietary Screener Questionnaire (DSQ). Results: Regression analyses showed face-to-face interpersonal communication significantly predicted greater total daily F&V intake ( β = 0.202, P < 0.001), particularly whole fruit and vegetable intake ( β = 0.228, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Interpersonal communication plays a vital role in raising awareness. Practitioners and policymakers could prioritize interpersonal outreach involving trusted community members and organizations to enhance equitable program participation.