scholarly journals Choice Food Pantries in the Deep South: A Novel Approach to Addressing Food Insecurity in Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 773-773
Author(s):  
David Buys ◽  
Masey Smith ◽  
Erin King
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Technical Assistance ◽  
Choice Model ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Deep South ◽  
Food Pantry ◽  
Food Pantries ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Emergency Food Assistance

Abstract Older adults in the deep south are living with high food insecurity rates; this is exacerbated by challenges with rural-living, like transportation limitations and no grocery stores. To address this, we must increase emergency food assistance offerings and adopt best practices for food pantries including choice food pantry approaches, which empowers clients with some autonomy in choosing the foods they receive as part of their pantry distribution. Coalitions in eight income-limited, aging, rural Mississippi Delta counties received support from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Grant to enhance the food-related infrastructure in their communities through technical assistance and economic investments. A detailed process evaluation was conducted on this effort. Each coalition adopted food pantry-related policies like adding new food pantries and adapting their existing food pantries with the choice model. Both aging volunteers and clients indicated positive outcomes from the process of adding pantries and adapting existing ones.

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 Understanding Differences in Food Distribution Methods Among Food Pantries in Baltimore City, MD (P04-037-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hope Craig ◽  
Sally Yan ◽  
Bengucan Gunen ◽  
Lindsay Adams ◽  
Shahmir Ali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Choice Model ◽  
Food Selection ◽  
The United States ◽  
Food Distribution ◽  
Distribution Model ◽  
Food Category ◽  
Baltimore City ◽  
Food Pantry ◽  
Food Pantries ◽  
Client Choice

Abstract Objectives Food pantries are increasingly being used to address long-term hunger in food insecure households in the United States. The client choice food distribution model is considered best practice, but there is lack of agreement in the literature about what this means. This study aims to explore the nuances of food distribution methods considered client choice at food pantries in Baltimore City, MD. Methods In-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with 22 randomly selected food pantry managers in Baltimore City to explore food distribution and pantry management. Three Food Pantry Environment Checklists were also conducted, approximately 1 month apart, at each pantry to collect further information on pantry operations and inventory. IDIs were audio-recorded and transcribed. Data were analyzed thematically to identify patterns in how food is distributed and managers’ experiences with the client choice model. Results Most managers reported using a combination of distribution methods, including client choice in which clients shop directly from pantry selves (14/22), assisted bagging in which staff help clients bag items according to client requests (21/22), and pre-packaged distribution in which clients receive standard pre-packed bags (16/22). Though many managers used client choice, only 10 said clients pick up and bag their own items. Most managers said clients are guided by pantry staff and are limited in their food selection based on food category and supply. Several managers reported client choice helps reduce food waste and accommodates clients’ food preferences; however, some had concerns about lack of resources (budget, time, and food supply) for this approach. Several pantries with pre-packaged distribution incorporated client choice by stocking products based on clients’ preferences and allowing clients to swap out items. Conclusions Food limits associated with different food distribution methods may impact the healthiness of products that clients receive. Improving access to healthy foods at pantries requires concerted efforts that address the multiple methods of distributing food. Evidence-based recommendations are needed to strengthen the client choice model and create engaging, dignified spaces that make healthy food choices both feasible and acceptable at pantries. Funding Sources Johns Hopkins Bloomberg American Health Initiative, Johns Hopkins Urban Health Institute.

scholarly journals Food Insecurity in Older Adults: Gerontology Students and RSVP a Partnership that Works

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 841-841
Author(s):  
Phyllis Greenberg ◽  
Jessica VanderWerf
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Food Banks ◽  
Meals On Wheels ◽  
Catholic Charities ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The University

Abstract A gerontology course related to policies /programs each year researches, develops and designs a service-learning project related to an issue/concern for older adults and their quality of life. Students wanted to work with vulnerable older adults and after research and discussion decided on tackling the issue of food insecurity in older adults. Food insecurity is a growing issue for older adults which has been exasperated by COVID-19. According to Meals on Wheels America (2020) there has been a 22% increase in the number of older adults needing food assistance. In addition, while the need for food banks has increased donations have declined (Next Avenue, 2020). Students partnered with RSVP, which had previously conducted a food donation project.. Students took on the responsibility for advertising, soliciting grocery stores to allow us to set up and engage shoppers in purchasing items for the project. In addition, they reached out to the university community and set up food donation stations. RSVP sent out emails to their constituents to encourage them to volunteer and do their shopping on the date of the project. Students were paired with RSVP volunteers at two stores and provided shopping lists and information about food insecurity in older adults to shoppers. Students collected 566 pounds of food. The food was distributed equally between Catholic Charities, which has a senior shopping program and the Somali Elder Community. Students sorted the food by categories and removed any foods with pork/gelatin products for the Somali Community.

scholarly journals 0238 Campus Food Pantry Assistance is Related to Better Physical And Mental Health Through Adequate Sleep Among College Students in a Public University System

SLEEP ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A91-A92
Author(s):  
S Martinez ◽  
S Kalaydjian ◽  
L Ritchie ◽  
A Nazmi ◽  
A Prather
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
General Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Student Health ◽  
Food Pantry ◽  
Food Pantries

Abstract Introduction Food insecurity is an issue among students in higher education and has been linked to insufficient sleep, and poor mental and general health. College campuses have quickly responded by establishing campus food pantries. However, the extent to which campus food pantries are ameliorating the impacts of food insecurity is unknown. Methods Online survey data were collected from a cross-sectional sample of 1,855 students who were food pantry users in the 10-campus UC system. Students were asked to report their number of visits to a food pantry in the past month, and to rate their general health, depressive symptoms, and number of days of enough sleep (in a week) before and after food pantry access. Changes in days of enough sleep, depressive symptoms and general health were computed. Demographic characteristics were obtained from institutional data. Path analysis was used to examine direct and indirect pathways from food pantry use to depressive symptoms and general health through enough sleep days, controlling for workstudy receipt, Pell grant receipt and family income. Results Students on average were 21.7 years old (SD= 3.5), and had more days of adequate sleep (25%), and improved depressive symptoms (43%) and general health (31%) after obtaining services from a campus food pantry. An increase in monthly food pantry use was directly related to a decrease in depressive symptoms (β= 0.08, p&lt;0.001) and an increase in general health (β= 0.07, p=0.001). Additionally, an increase in food pantry use related to an increase in getting more days of enough sleep (β=0.07, p=0.001), which in turn positively related to a decrease in depressive symptoms (β=0.18, p&lt;0.001) and improved general health (β=0.24, p&lt;0.001). Conclusion Food pantry use had a positive relationship with student health outcomes, and enough sleep days played an important mediating role. Findings suggest that emergency food access may have a positive impact on student health outcomes. Support This study was funded by the UC Campus Basic Needs Committees.

scholarly journals Outcomes of disease prevention and management interventions in food pantries and food banks: protocol for a scoping review

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. e018022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher R Long ◽  
Brett Rowland ◽  
Susan C Steelman ◽  
Pearl A McElfish
Keyword(s):  
Disease Prevention ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Food Banks ◽  
Food Bank ◽  
Food Pantry ◽  
Or Management ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
Food Pantries

IntroductionFood insecurity is a difficulty faced in many households. During periods of food insecurity, households often seek food supplied by food pantries and food banks. Food insecurity has been associated with increased risk for several health conditions. For this reason, food pantries and food banks may have great promise as intervention sites, and health researchers have begun targeting food pantries and food banks as sites for disease prevention or management interventions. The aim of the scoping review is to examine disease prevention or management interventions implemented in food pantries and food banks.Methods and analysisRelevant electronic databases (eg, MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature-CINAHL Complete, Science Citation Index, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews) will be searched for articles with a publication date of 1997 or later using Medical Subject Headings and key terms, including food aid, food banks, food pantries, food shelves, hunger, food insecurity and related concepts. For each de-duplicated study record identified by the search strategy, two reviewers will independently assess whether the study meets eligibility criteria (eg, related to intervention type, context). The reviewers will examine studies’ titles, abstracts and full text, comparing eligibility decisions to address any discrepancies. For each eligible study, data extraction will be executed by two reviewers independently, comparing extracted data to address any discrepancies. Extracted data will be synthesised and reported in a narrative review assessing the coverage and gaps in existing literature related to disease prevention and management interventions implemented in food pantries.Ethics and disseminationThe review’s results will be useful to healthcare practitioners who work with food-insecure populations, healthcare researchers and food pantry or food bank personnel. The results of this scoping review will be submitted for publication to a peer-reviewed journal, and the authors will share the findings with food pantry and food bank stakeholder groups with whom they work.

scholarly journals Efficacy of Augmented Food Pantry Services in Addressing Food Insecurity

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 271-271
Author(s):  
Ronit Ridberg ◽  
Morgan Smith ◽  
Ronli Levi ◽  
Elaine Waxman ◽  
Hilary Seligman
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Food System ◽  
Kidney Diseases ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation ◽  
Food Pantry ◽  
Food Pantries ◽  
Feeding America

Abstract Objectives Almost 1 in 9 Americans obtain food from a food bank or food pantry every year to help make ends meet. Despite this scope and scale, the efficacy of the charitable food system at alleviating food insecurity is still unclear. This study aimed to determine whether food distributed at food pantries as part of a comprehensive diabetes self-management support program, changed food security status for adults with diabetes. Methods This is a secondary, prespecified analysis of a larger randomized, controlled study (the FAITH-DM trial) conducted in 27 food pantries in Detroit MI; Houston, TX; and Oakland, CA (2015–2018). We screened 5329 adults for diabetes, and individually randomized 568 participants with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 7.5% or greater to an immediate 6-month intervention (including bimonthly food, diabetes education, health care referral and glucose monitoring) or to receive the intervention after a 6-month delay (cross-over design). For this analysis, primary outcome was food insecurity, measured at baseline, 6 months and 12 months, using the 10-item USDA food security modules scaled as a continuous Rasch score and then compared using difference-in-differences analyses. Results Participants were racially/ethnically diverse (51% Latino/Hispanic, 33% African American), with a mean age of 55 (range 23–86) and predominantly female (69%). In both trial phases, food security scores improved for individuals receiving the intervention and worsened for those not receiving the intervention. On a 12-point Rasch scale, differences between groups ranged from 0.627 points in Phase 1 (95% CI: –1.16, –0.099, P = .02) to 0.879 in Phase 2 (95% CI: –1.46, –0.303, P = 0.003). Conclusions Preliminary results of this cross-over design suggest a causal relationship between healthy food interventions at food banks and improving food security for adults with diabetes. Funding Sources Funding for the Feeding America Intervention Trial for Health—Diabetes Mellitus (FAITH-DM) was provided by Feeding America, the Laura and John Arnold Foundation, the Urban Institute via a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under award P30DK092924, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under award 3U48DP004998–01S1. Support for RAR by HRSA QSCERT-PC Program (grant no. T32HP30037).

scholarly journals Outcomes of disease prevention and management interventions in food pantries and food banks: a scoping review

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. e029236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher R Long ◽  
Brett Rowland ◽  
Susan C Steelman ◽  
Pearl A McElfish
Keyword(s):  
Disease Prevention ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Food Aid ◽  
Food Banks ◽  
Food Pantry ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
Food Pantries

ObjectiveFood insecurity affects millions of Americans and is associated with a range of adverse health outcomes. Food insecure individuals often obtain food from food pantries/banks, prompting health researchers to implement disease prevention/management interventions at these sites. This review examined the existing peer-reviewed research on disease prevention/management interventions implemented in food pantries/banks.DesignScoping review.Data sourcesDatabases searched included MEDLINE, Web of Science, CINAHL and Cochrane. Search strategies included Medical Subject Headings and key terms, including food pantry, food bank, food shelf, food aid and related concepts.Eligibility criteriaStudies were included if they described an intervention involving food pantries/banks where at least one biometric indicator was included as an outcome variable. Articles focused solely on the quality of foods distributed, the diet quality of food pantry/bank clients or government food aid programmes were excluded.Data extraction and synthesisExtracted data included publication details, intervention type, study design, participant characteristics, study outcomes, and barriers and facilitators of intervention implementation.ResultsA total of 3317 articles were assessed for eligibility. Six studies met the predefined inclusion criteria. The studies employed a range of intervention approaches to manage or prevent a number of chronic diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes and HIV. The studies examined a range of biometric outcomes, including body mass index, glycated haemoglobin and blood pressure. Information about the food pantries/banks where the interventions were conducted was lacking. The studies documented multiple barriers and facilitators related to costs, sustainability and organisational capacity.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first review to examine disease prevention and management interventions conducted in food pantries and food banks. Given the high number of households who obtain food from food pantries/banks and the chronic health conditions associated with food insecurity, this review highlights the need for more high-quality research in this setting.

scholarly journals Perceived Facilitators and Barriers to Engaging with a Digital Intervention among Those with Food Insecurity, Binge Eating, and Obesity

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2458
Author(s):  
Anu Venkatesh ◽  
Angela Chang ◽  
Emilie A. Green ◽  
Tianna Randall ◽  
Raquel Gallagher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Binge Eating ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
Design Considerations ◽  
Digital Intervention ◽  
Intervention Cost ◽  
Facilitators And Barriers ◽  
Important Design

Interventions that address binge eating and food insecurity are needed. Engaging people with lived experience to understand their needs and preferences could yield important design considerations for such interventions. In this study, people with food insecurity, recurrent binge eating, and obesity completed an interview-based needs assessment to learn facilitators and barriers that they perceive would impact their engagement with a digital intervention for managing binge eating and weight. Twenty adults completed semi-structured interviews. Responses were analyzed using thematic analysis. Three themes emerged. Participants shared considerations that impact their ability to access the intervention (e.g., cost of intervention, cost of technology, accessibility across devices), ability to complete intervention recommendations (e.g., affordable healthy meals, education to help stretch groceries, food vouchers, rides to grocery stores, personalized to budget), and preferred intervention features for education, self-monitoring, personalization, support, and motivation/rewards. Engaging people with lived experiences via user-centered design methods revealed important design considerations for a digital intervention to meet this population’s needs. Future research is needed to test whether a digital intervention that incorporates these recommendations is engaging and effective for people with binge eating and food insecurity. Findings may have relevance to designing digital interventions for other health problems as well.

Scaling Our Impact: Emerging Human Factors Applications Addressing Societal Challenges

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 863-867
Author(s):  
Courtney Rogers ◽  
Rupa S. Valdez ◽  
Juan E. Gilbert ◽  
Karen Lange Morales ◽  
Wendy Rogers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Human Factors ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Societal Challenges ◽  
Human Factors And Ergonomics ◽  
Societal Challenge

There is an increasing need and interest for Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) professionals to apply our discipline to a larger context. HFE researchers are starting to conduct research outside of traditional settings, focusing their efforts on complex societal challenges; however, this type of work is still in its infancy and there is a need to define how HFE can be used in broader contexts, outside of formal institutions. In this panel, we begin a formalized conversation of how our field can scale its impact. Each panelist will introduce a societal challenge they are addressing and discuss how HFE can be adapted to this context. The topics of this panel will span elections technology, sustainability and climate change, universal access to mental healthcare, social isolation in older adults, and food insecurity. This session will conclude with a moderated discussion between the panelists and audience to brainstorm specific societal challenges that HFE can address as well as how methods can be adapted to this context.

scholarly journals Food Insecurity in the United States: Identification, Treatment, and Implications

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 772-773
Author(s):  
Rose Ann DiMaria-Ghalili ◽  
Connie Bales ◽  
Julie Locher
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Clinic ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
Geriatric Syndrome ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Food insecurity is an under-recognized geriatric syndrome that has extensive implications in the overall health and well-being of older adults. Understanding the impact of food insecurity in older adults is a first step in identifying at-risk populations and provides a framework for potential interventions in both hospital and community-based settings. This symposium will provide an overview of current prevalence rates of food insecurity using large population-based datasets. We will present a summary indicator that expands measurement to include the functional and social support limitations (e.g., community disability, social isolation, frailty, and being homebound), which disproportionately impact older adults, and in turn their rate and experience of food insecurity and inadequate food access. We will illustrate using an example of at-risk seniors the association between sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass and function, with rates of food security in the United States. The translational aspect of the symposium will then focus on identification of psychosocial and environmental risk factors including food insecurity in older veterans preparing for surgery within the Veterans Affairs Perioperative Optimization of Senior Health clinic. Gaining insights into the importance of food insecurity will lay the foundation for an intervention for food insecurity in the deep south. Our discussant will provide an overview of the implications of these results from a public health standpoint. By highlighting the importance of food insecurity, such data can potentially become a framework to allow policy makers to expand nutritional programs as a line of defense against hunger in this high-risk population.

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