Can free meal kits from a food pantry boost healthy eating?
NCT ID NCT07703501
First seen Jul 14, 2026 · Last updated Jul 21, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This study explores whether providing free meal kits—including fresh produce, seafood, and simple recipes—through a food pantry can help adults eat better and feel more confident cooking. Over 12 weeks, participants receive three meal kits per week and complete surveys about their diet and experience. The goal is to see if this approach is practical and well-liked, and to inform future programs that connect people to healthy, locally sourced food.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- medically supportive meal kits with fresh produce, seafood, and recipes
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this approach could offer a practical way to improve diet quality and food access in underserved communities.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small pilot study with no control group, so results may not be generalizable or prove long-term benefits.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
About 50 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
-
Jun 2026
- Expected to finish
-
Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: Participants must meet all of the following: * Be 18 years of age or older * Be a client of The Open Door food pantry in Gloucester, MA * Be able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Under age 18 * Unable to provide informed consent * Have a food allergy, medical condition, or dietary restriction that makes it unsafe to eat the study foods (e.g., seafood or milk allergy, liquid diet) * Another member of the same household is already participating (only one participant per household) * Planning to move out of the area within the next 4 months * Previously participated in a healthy meal kit program at The Open Door * Do not have reliable transportation to pick up meal kits
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Diet quality are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Tufts University (Investigator site) The Open Door (Recruitment & Intervention site)
Gloucester, Massachusetts, 01930, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Could ditching diets during pregnancy improve weight gain and mood?
- Can a phone app help latino kids eat better?
- Can exposing food marketing tricks on instagram make young adults eat healthier?
- Can exposing food industry tricks curb junk food cravings?
- A family therapy could curb early psychosis risk in youth
- Yearly TB check may shield vulnerable patients from a hidden threat