Diet Quality Following Food Pantry Visit Differs by Ethnicity

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Eliza Short ◽  
Lindsay N. Kohler ◽  
Douglas Taren ◽  
Rhonda Gonzalez ◽  
Denise J. Roe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diet Quality ◽  
Food Pantry

scholarly journals Pilot testing an intervention to educate and promote nutritious choices at food pantries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah L. McKee ◽  
Eminet Abebe Gurganus ◽  
Abiodun T. Atoloye ◽  
Ran Xu ◽  
Katie Martin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Food System ◽  
Saturated Fat ◽  
Comparison Study ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Food Pantry ◽  
Food Pantries ◽  
Client Choice ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Aim This study aimed to assess the impact of the Supporting Wellness at Pantries (SWAP) system on client food selections at a food pantry. Subject and methods In a pre–post comparison study design, a client-choice food pantry implemented SWAP by reorganizing its inventory to promote healthy options. Each product was ranked as “choose often” (green), “sometimes” (yellow), or “rarely” (red) based on saturated fat, sodium, and sugar. Signage was added to indicate each item’s SWAP rank and healthier foods were placed at eye level. Client food baskets were assessed at time 1 (n = 121) and time 2 (n = 101). The proportions of green and red foods selected were compared using regression analyses. Results The regression analyses showed that the proportion of green foods selected by clients increased by 11% (p < 0.001) and the proportion of red foods selected decreased by 7% (p < 0.001) after SWAP was implemented (n = 222). Conclusions SWAP has the potential to positively shift client choices among the items available in a food pantry setting. SWAP is one component of a suite of changes to the charitable food system that have the potential to alleviate food insecurity, improve diet quality, and assist clients in managing diet-related diseases.

scholarly journals Food security of food recipients of a food pantry and soup kitchen

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 1451-1460
Author(s):  
Tamara Y Mousa ◽  
Jeanne H Freeland-Graves
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Healthy Eating Index ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Pantry ◽  
Soup Kitchen ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectiveTo discern the impact of food donations provided by a food pantry and soup kitchen on food security.DesignIn this cross-sectional study, participants completed a demographic questionnaire, core food security module, FFQ and list of food donations. The FFQ was utilized to assess diet quality as estimated via the 2010 Healthy Eating Index.SettingClients were selected randomly from a food pantry and soup kitchen in Central Texas, USA.ParticipantsA total of 222 adults.ResultsApproximately 73 % of participants lacked food security. Compared with the food secure, the food insecure consisted of 61 % men, 42 % Caucasians, 56 % single and 67 % homeless. Also, of the food insecure, 60 % were soup kitchen clients and 64 % had an annual income <$US 1000 (P<0·01). The probability of food insecurity was reduced by ≥1·17-fold when the total dietary intake included the food donations, as these were rich in fruits, total vegetables and grains, dairy and protein foods (P<0·05).ConclusionsFood insecurity was quite prevalent in this sample of individuals who visited food pantries and soup kitchens. The addition of food donations improved the quality of the participants’ total diet and had a positive influence on food security. Thus, community organizations should financially support these food assistance agencies and strive to offer a variety of healthy and tasty foods in adequate quantities to provide optimum diet quality.

scholarly journals Diet Quality and Characteristics Differ Among Food Secure and Food Insecure Emergency Food Pantry Users

2016 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. S6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Eicher-Miller ◽  
L. McCormack ◽  
S. Stluka ◽  
D. Contreras ◽  
L. Franzen-Castle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diet Quality ◽  
Food Pantry

scholarly journals Diet Quality, Nutritional Adequacy, and Sociodemographic Characteristics of Mobile Food Pantry Users in Northeastern Connecticut

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1099
Author(s):  
Dalia Marmash ◽  
Kyungho Ha ◽  
Junichi R. Sakaki ◽  
Isabella Gorski ◽  
Brazil Rule ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Low Income ◽  
The United States ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Sociodemographic Characteristics ◽  
Added Sugar ◽  
Food Pantry ◽  
Dietary Record

Poor diet quality among low-income populations is a major contributing factor to their poor health and wellbeing, and thus is a focus of many government aid programs. Mobile food pantries are an increasingly popular method of emergency food assistance, targeting the communities most affected by food insecurity; however, little is known about the dietary characteristics of mobile food pantry users. This study aims to characterize the diet quality and nutrient adequacy level and examine its association with sociodemographic characteristics among mobile food pantry users in Windham County, Connecticut. Surveys to assess food insecurity, diet composition, and sociodemographic characteristics were administered to 83 adult food pantry users. Participants (n = 40) completed a three-day dietary record for analysis of diet quality, and were found to have inadequate intakes of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dairy, as well as some related micronutrients. At least 30% of participants had intakes below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for vitamins A, C, E, calcium, zinc, magnesium, and folate. Intakes of added sugar, sugar sweetened beverages, and saturated fat were also above recommendations according to the United States Dietary Guidelines. Certain sociodemographic factors affected diet quality among this sample. For example, being male was associated with increased sugar-sweetened beverage and added sugar intake. This characterization of mobile pantry users will serve as a reference for developing nutrition education and determining the effectiveness of future interventions.

scholarly journals The Food Bank and Food Pantries Help Food Insecure Participants Maintain Fruit and Vegetable Intake During COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farryl Bertmann ◽  
Katherine Rogomentich ◽  
Emily H. Belarmino ◽  
Meredith T. Niles
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Food Access ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Food Banks ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Food Pantry ◽  
Food Pantries ◽  
Households With Children

Charitable food services, including food banks and pantries, support individual and households' food access, potentially maintaining food security and diet quality during emergencies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of food banks and pantries has increased in the US. Here we examine perceptions of food banks and food pantries and their relationship to food security and fruit and vegetable (FV) intake during the first 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, using a statewide representative survey (n = 600) of residents of Vermont. The utilization of food pantries was more common among food insecure households and households with children. Among food insecure respondents, those who did not use a food pantry were significantly more likely to report consuming less FV during the pandemic. Further, we find respondents who are food insecure and using a food pantry report consuming more FV since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. We found that respondents who were both food insecure and reported not using a food pantry were significantly more likely to report both a reduction in fruit consumption (b = −0.58; p = 0.001) and a reduction in vegetable consumption (b = −0.415; p = 0.012). These results indicate that these services may support food access and one important dimension of diet quality (FV intake) for at-risk populations during emergencies.

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