Constriction in the Variety of Urban Food Pantry Donations by Private Individuals

Abstract

The urban poor face a number of health challenges, many linked to lack of sufficient and consistent access to nutritious foods. Social ecology models demonstrate the negative impacts of high food cost and limited availability in urban areas. These studies note that "food deserts" have a profound impact on physiological pathologies of urban poor populations. Food pantries are an understudied feature of these urban landscapes. To address this gap, this study surveys the contents of food pantry donations during the month of September 2008. Data demonstrate the socioeconomic impact of reductions of charitable food donations on the diets of the urban poor.

Farmers Markets and The Emergency Food System in West Virginia: An analysis of intersection to improve community food security

“…Instead, diets provided to those by the emergancy food system offer individuals high energy-rich diets obtained primarily from carbohydrates, which are associated with obesity and diatebetes (Companion, 2010;Drewnowski, 2007;Ricciuto and Tarasuk, 2007). Companion (2010) found that the top three items pantries have on stock include pasta, canned corn, and egg noodles, which is congruent with this data.…”

“…Starket et al (1999) found that frequent pantry users had lower consumption rates of important vitamins and minerals, such as folate, protein, calcium, vitamin C, and zinc, all of which are connected to inadequate access to meat and fresh fruits and vegetables. This is supported by a breadth of research that shows food insecurity is positively correlated with inadequate nutrient consumption (Companion, 2010;Brown, 2007;Kirkpatrick and Tarasuk, 2008).…”

“…The "emergency food system" has sprung up to meet the needs of the food insecure. Most of the food distributed by food pantries and emergency kitchens comes from local resources like food banks (Coleman-Jensen et al, 2014;Companion, 2010).…”

“…The role of food banks as an instrument for the removal of unsalable food products has direct repercussions for the food aid they provide (Tarasuk and Eakin, 2005). Numerous studies have found the poor quality and limited quantity of nutritional food items received by patrons at food pantries have adverse health effects (Companion, 2010;Brown, 2007;Kirkpatrick and Tarasuk, 2008;Drewnowski, 2007;Ricciuto and Tarasuk, 2007 are open to the public and meal programs at private rehabiliation centers and daycares.…”

“…The emergency food system is based on charity and donations (Coleman-Jensen et al, 2014;Companion, 2010;Tiehen, 2002), so why not farmers or farmers markets too. Farmers markets could seek grants or other funds to subsidize their own operations so they could be less focused on their own survival and free up resources for programs geared towards the food insecure in their communities.…”