Food pantries as partners in population health: Assessing organizational and personnel readiness for delivering nutrition-focused charitable food assistance. Issue 1 (4th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wetherill, Marianna S.; Williams, Mary B.; White, Kayla Castleberry; Li, Ji; Vidrine, Jennifer I.; Vidrine, Damon J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hunger & environmental nutrition. Volume 14:Issue 1/2(2019)
• Page Start: 50
• Page End: 69
• Publication Date: 2019-03-04
• Subjects: Food pantry -- food shelf -- food insecurity -- food access -- nutrition -- fruits -- vegetables -- health disparities; Nutrition -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Hunger -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Food supply -- Periodicals; 613.2
• DOI: 10.1080/19320248.2018.1512931
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1932-0248

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Food pantries serve populations with high rates of chronic disease and thus may be ideal settings for community-based health promotion programs. This study aimed to describe the readiness of food pantry organizations ( n = 69) and their personnel ( n = 129) to engage in nutrition-focused food pantry services, including nutrition education and the application of dietary guidelines for disease prevention and management as components of existing food assistance programs. Among survey respondents, few personnel reported asking clients about chronic disease diagnoses or providing clients with nutrition education, and over half reported lower confidence in performing these activities. Yet, the majority were interested in training to address client health needs. However, organizational capacity is currently restricted by lack of nutrition policies and limited healthy food inventory, including fruits and vegetables. To address the nutritional needs of clients, food pantries may benefit from in-person training and additional resources to obtain and distribute healthier foods.