Healthy Food Incentives: How a Community Board Shaped the Study

The FoodRx trial tested whether giving money to buy healthy food helps adults with type‑2 diabetes who also lack reliable access to groceries. The research team invited a group called All My Relations (AMR) to help guide the study, especially for Indigenous participants. The AMR board’s role grew over time. Initially they were asked only to review study materials for cultural fit, but later they suggested changes to the incentive schedule and the way information was shared with participants. Their feedback made the program more respectful of traditional food practices and easier for people to understand. The board also helped recruit participants by sharing the study within their communities, which increased enrollment from Indigenous households.Researchers noticed that these changes improved participant engagement. People stayed in the program longer and reported feeling more supported, which likely boosted the trial’s success. When the study finished, the team reflected on how AMR’s involvement shaped every phase—from design to data collection. The board not only offered practical advice but also ensured the research respected participants’ values and lived realities. The experience shows that involving community voices can turn a clinical trial into a partnership that benefits both science and the people it serves.