How Fresh Produce Made a Real Difference: A Simple Breakdown of the Project FoodBox Impact

Across California, many families are trying to manage chronic health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. For a lot of people, healthy eating isn’t a matter of knowing the rules — most already understand what a balanced meal looks like. The real challenge is having steady, affordable access to fresh food. Grocery stores aren’t always nearby, produce prices can be high, and fast food often ends up being the quickest or most convenient option.

Project FoodBox set out to change that.

Through partnerships with Medi-Cal health plans, the organization delivers boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables directly to people’s homes each week. The idea is straightforward: when fresh produce is easy to get, people are more likely to cook at home, choose healthier meals, and feel better day to day. To understand how much these weekly deliveries were helping, Project FoodBox conducted a 12-week study with participants across the state.

The goal of the study was simple — take a clear before-and-after look at how people’s habits, confidence, and well-being changed once fresh food became a consistent part of their week. The full case study is available here:

What the Study Observed

Over three months:

• Thousands of participants received weekly produce boxes.
• 336 people completed surveys at both the start and end of the program.
• Their responses helped show what shifted in daily routines and overall comfort with healthy eating.

What Improved for Participants

The findings were clear:

• Fast-food meals dropped by an average of 1.17 meals per week.
• Participants felt more confident choosing healthier foods and preparing meals at home.
• Many reported fewer symptoms connected to diet-sensitive conditions.
• Emotional well-being improved, especially for those who increased their produce intake.

Small shifts like eating out less or cooking at home more often add up. Together, they point toward healthier habits that can make a real difference over time.

What This Could Mean at a Larger Scale

When the results were projected to a typical health plan population, the potential savings were substantial. For every 5,000 high-risk members enrolled in a program like this, the model estimated $3.66 million in healthcare savings per year. These savings come from better nutrition, more stable routines, and fewer complications that often lead to costly medical care.

In short, investing in fresh food today can help prevent expensive problems tomorrow.

Why This Matters for Communities

This case study highlights an important point: when healthy food becomes easy to access, people can make meaningful changes in their lives. Confidence grows. Home cooking becomes more routine. And over time, families build habits that support better long-term health.

Project FoodBox is helping make that possible — one produce box at a time.