Understanding Public Food Donations: A First Step in Improving Healthy Food Pantry Options

Abstract

Increasing numbers of people are regularly relying on food pantries. This reality underscores the need for pantries to provide healthy food options. In Brown County, Wisconsin, the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) identified improving the nutritional quality of food pantry items as a priority strategy to support safe and affordable food access for the low-income population. Local pantry administrators estimated that 50% of their stock comes from public drives; therefore, improving the nutrition profile of public donations became the primary target for this initiative.