Protocol of a community-based produce prescription intervention; produce for health in Hampshire county's food desert communities.

This article focuses on the protocol for a community-based produce prescription program aimed at improving diet, self-efficacy for healthy eating, food security, and healthcare utilization among individuals with or at risk for chronic health conditions in Hampshire County, Massachusetts. The intervention provides eligible participants with a debit card preloaded with funds to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at participating retailers, alongside educational workshops on growing, shopping for, and cooking produce. Using a single-arm pre–posttest design with 210 participants recruited through a Federally Qualified Health Center, the study collects quantitative and qualitative data over two years to assess program feasibility, adherence, satisfaction, dietary intake, clinical markers, and healthcare use. Findings are intended to inform future implementation strategies, policy development, and sustainable funding models for produce prescription programs within food-insecure communities.