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Associations between Food Pantry Size and Distribution Method and Healthfulness of Foods Received by Clients in Baltimore City Food Pantries

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  • Yuxuan Gu

    (Center for Health Policy Studies, Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
    Center for Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Shahmir H. Ali

    (Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA)

  • Sally Yan

    (Family League of Baltimore City, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA)

  • Bengucan Gunen

    (Center for Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Reuben Park

    (Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA)

  • Lisa Poirier

    (Center for Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Hope C. Craig

    (Center for Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Hengjin Dong

    (Center for Health Policy Studies, Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China)

  • Joel Gittelsohn

    (Center for Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the association of the overall nutritional quality and the weight share of specific types of foods received by food pantry clients with food pantry size and distribution method. Data on healthy food weights using the gross weight share (GWS) of select foods and the validated Food Assortment Score Tool (FAST) were collected from 75 food pantry clients in Baltimore, Maryland. The average FAST score across the study population was 63.0 (SD: 10.4). Overall, no statistically significant differences in average FAST scores by pantry size and distribution method were found. However, among client-choice pantries, clients of small pantries had higher scores ( p < 0.05) while among medium pantries, clients of traditional pantries had higher scores ( p < 0.01). Subgroup analysis of GWS was stratified by pantry size and distribution methods. Findings suggested multi-level, multi-component interventions combining environmental strategies are needed to enhance the healthfulness of foods received by clients. Our analysis provided data to consider further refinements of pantry interventions and planning of more rigorous research on factors influencing the effectiveness of pantry interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuxuan Gu & Shahmir H. Ali & Sally Yan & Bengucan Gunen & Reuben Park & Lisa Poirier & Hope C. Craig & Hengjin Dong & Joel Gittelsohn, 2021. "Associations between Food Pantry Size and Distribution Method and Healthfulness of Foods Received by Clients in Baltimore City Food Pantries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-10, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:13:p:6979-:d:585028
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Maria Luz Fernandez & Dele Raheem & Fernando Ramos & Conrado Carrascosa & Ariana Saraiva & António Raposo, 2021. "Highlights of Current Dietary Guidelines in Five Continents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-9, March.
    3. Lluís Serra-Majem & Laura Tomaino & Sandro Dernini & Elliot M. Berry & Denis Lairon & Joy Ngo de la Cruz & Anna Bach-Faig & Lorenzo M. Donini & Francesc-Xavier Medina & Rekia Belahsen & Suzanne Piscop, 2020. "Updating the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid towards Sustainability: Focus on Environmental Concerns," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-20, November.
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