Grant: Project Grant

This randomized controlled trial (RCT) will determine if access to a voucher for healthy foods reduces blood sugar levels among people living on a low income who have type 2 diabetes or elevated blood sugar. Population: Adults with type 2 diabetes or "prediabetes" attending primary care sites in Toronto, Ontario, who report either "trouble making ends meet" or food insecurity (n = 390). Intervention: A voucher for $65 worth of vegetables and fruits for individual participants, or $85 for participants who are members of households with >2 individuals, each month for 6 months (n = 195). Control: Usual access to food and medical care (n = 195). Outcome: The primary outcome will be the change in average blood glucose level (measured as hemoglobin A1c; HbA1c) during the 6-month study period. Secondary outcomes will include serum carotenoid levels (that reflect vegetable consumption), health care utilization, and self-reported measures (health, food security, financial security, fruit and vegetable consumption). The partner in this trial is Community Food Centres Canada (CFCC), a national non-profit organization. CFCC will provide $452,000 in funds for the intervention (see partner letter). These funds are not sufficient or intended to cover the costs of running the trial. Funds from CIHR will allow us to conduct the RCT to provide high-quality evidence on the impact of this intervention. Findings from this trial can help inform important policy changes that improve access to healthy foods for low-income and food-insecure households across Canada and globally.