Food Bank Research Articles

Collaborative vehicle routing for equitable and effective food allocation in nonprofit settings

Purpose Inspired by a food bank distribution operation, this paper aims to study synchronized vehicle routing for equitable and effective food allocation. The primary goal is to improve operational efficiency while ensuring equitable and effective food distribution among the partner agencies. Design/methodology/approach This study introduces a multiobjective Mixed Integer Programming (MIP) model aimed at addressing the complex challenge of effectively distributing food, particularly for food banks serving vulnerable populations in low-income urban and rural areas. The optimization approach described in this paper places a significant emphasis on social and economic considerations by fairly allocating food to food bank partner agencies while minimizing routing distance and waste. To assess the performance of the approach, this paper evaluates three distinct models, focusing on key performance measures such as effectiveness, equity and efficiency. The paper conducts a comprehensive numerical analysis using randomly generated data to gain insights into the trade-offs that arise and provide valuable managerial insights for food bank managers. Findings The results of the analysis highlight the models that perform better in terms of equity and effectiveness. Additionally, the results show that restocking the vehicles through the concept of synchronization improves the overall quantity of food allocation to partner agencies, thereby increasing accessibility. Research limitations/implications This paper contributes significantly to the literature on optimization approaches in the field of humanitarian logistics. Practical implications This study provides food bank managers with three different models, each with a multifaceted nature of trade-offs, to better address the complex challenges of food insecurity. Social implications This paper contributes significantly to social responsibility by enhancing the operational efficiency of food banks, ultimately improving their ability to serve communities in need. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to propose and analyze this new variant of vehicle routing problems in nonprofit settings.

Does proximity to service providers impact punitivity in stop outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness?

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to examine whether there is a relationship between the formality of police stop outcomes (e.g., no action v. citation) for stops involving individuals experiencing homelessness and the distance of the stop to service providers. We combine several datasets from the city of San Diego to assess our research question, including: police administrative data from the California Department of Justice, location datasets of food banks, homeless shelters, emergency medical and behavior facilities, and detox centers. Using logistic regressions, we model two outcomes – formality of a stop outcome and noncriminal transportation – with distance to within-city service providers and stop characteristics. We find that as proximity to detox facilities and food banks increases, the likelihood of formal outcomes also increases. Yet, when stops occur farther from emergency housing resources there is a reduction in the likelihood of formal outcomes. As the proximity from food banks increases there is also an increase in the likelihood of noncriminal/caretaking transport. Increasing police accessibility to service providers may reduce the use of formal justice-system outcomes in police encounters with individuals experiencing homelessness, which may also reduce the unintended consequences of entering the justice system for individuals experiencing homelessness.

A Community-Based Participatory Research Approach to Identifying Facilitators and Barriers to Social Service Utilization for Food Pantry Clients in the South Bronx

Noting the importance of food assistance programs to low income families in New York City (NYC), the research questions for the present study were: (1) What are the facilitators and barriers to social service utilization for food pantry clients in the South Bronx?, and (2) Does receiving food pantry services serve as a point of entry for social service utilization? We surveyed 218 food pantry clients at a community-based, social service organization based in the South Bronx. Our findings indicate that being aware of local social services was the strongest predictor for utilizing social services. Social service utilization was also predicted by high use of the food pantry (weekly or more); high levels of food insecurity, depressive symptoms; and the ability to communicate ef-fectively in English. Given rising inflation costs and the continued higher expenses as-sociated with food consumption in the United States generally and in NYC specifically, our findings suggest that food pantry sites in the South Bronx bear the potential to be vital entry points for social service referral and utilization, particularly for the screen-ing and assessment of depressive symptoms. Given these findings, nonprofit leaders and social service funders should prioritize capacity building of food pantries as sites for the delivery of health promotion interventions and social services.

Logic-driven, simulation-based risk engineering to ensure the sustainability of productive processes even with data scarcity

Designing and operating production systems and keeping them up to date at the speed of innovation to meet competition, consumer trends and sustainability requirements is a challenging task. The problem becomes even more challenging when the production system is highly uncertain and data-poor. This complexity is increasingly recognised, as is the value that risk engineering can bring to the design, operation, maintenance and upgrading of production systems to avoid compromising their viability and ensure their continued efficiency.The manuscript is guided by this challenge and has a twofold objective. First, it analyses and explains the importance of adopting a logic-driven and simulation-based risk engineering approach to support decision-making. This objective is achieved by going to the root of the methodological constructs that characterise the methodologies available in the literature and by highlighting the main limitations. Second, it applies the HoRAM method to the use case of food banks to verify its suitability. The use case of food banks was chosen because it is characterised by more and unusual uncertainties compared to conventional production systems (such as uneven labour and raw material availability).The main contributions of this research are as follows. First, it provides a critical analysis of currently available risk assessment methodologies. It highlights the weaknesses and explains the implications of these weaknesses for decision support. Second, it concerns the development of a complete risk engineering process, offering an approach that goes beyond conventional risk assessment approaches that stop at the identification of the critical elements associated with the problem at hand. It explains the importance of closing the risk analysis loop by quantitatively verifying the efficiency of the identified mitigation solutions, thus moving from risk assessment to risk engineering.The results suggest that the proposed approach is suitable for supporting complex decision-making processes characterised by high uncertainty and data scarcity. Furthermore, due to the logic-driven nature of the proposed approach, non-experts can be involved and contribute to the analysis and engineering of risks. This allows to increase the situational awareness of decision makers and consequently their efficiency in making complex decisions.

Correction to: “You Can’t Just Give People Food”: Whiteness in Practice at an Evangelical Food Pantry

Correction to: “You Can’t Just Give People Food”: Whiteness in Practice at an Evangelical Food Pantry

Toward health promotion and prevention: Evidence from a food and health partnership model of care

AbstractHealth promotion and disease prevention requires health systems address the patients' social needs using new care delivery models. Yet, research in this area has stalled for several reasons. We study a partnership model of care that couples clinical care delivered by primary care providers and social services delivered by community‐based organizations, and its impact on patients' preventive health outcomes and behaviors. We use data from the Mid‐Ohio Farmacy, which is a collaboration across the Mid‐Ohio Food Collective (MOFC), a network of 650+ affiliated food pantries, and a large federally qualified health center (FQHC). The FQHC offers primary and preventative healthcare services across eight free clinics, which are co‐located with the MOFC‐affiliated food pantries. Patients were screened for food insecurity during their clinic visit and, if positive, were referred to the Farmacy. Compliers made at least one visit to the food pantry after referral, while noncompliers did not. Using difference‐in‐differences, we find that compliers had no discernible change in their body mass index (BMI, kg/m2), which we refer to as a BMI stabilization effect. Noncompliers' BMI increased after referral. High comorbid and high pantry use compliers experienced a significant reduction in their BMI and a marginally significant reduction in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c, %). These patients had unique compliance behaviors, including greater search, frequency, and consistency of food pantry use. Travel costs suggests that high comorbid patients ascribed a greater value to the Farmacy program. In terms of primary care utilization, we find that compliers' clinic visit patterns after referral were consistent with the visit patterns observed in the food secure cohort, suggesting that the Farmacy program may have helped compliers address competing demands that are known to inhibit health behaviors.

The availability of allergen-friendly food for college students experiencing food insecurity: Exploring current campus practices

BackgroundThe burden of dietary restrictions includes the high cost and limited availability of allergen-friendly products which disproportionately affects people with food insecurity. ObjectiveTo better understand access to allergen-friendly food for college students experiencing food insecurity with food allergies or other diet-treated conditions by surveying college campus food pantries. MethodsA total of 120 randomly selected US colleges/universities were recruited to complete FOODiversity's Food Insecurity Questionnaire about campus food pantry operations, dietary restrictions, and food-insecurity initiatives and provide details about their resources and training dedicated to supporting food-insecure young adults who avoid specific food(s). ResultsOf the respondents, 48% ask students about dietary restrictions at food pantry intake, 37% track the number of patrons with restrictions, 30% process allergen-friendly product requests, 17% train staff about dietary restrictions, and 4% modify processes to accommodate dietary restrictions. Of the 48% who inquire about dietary restrictions, follow-up interventions vary in levels of accommodation. Dairy-free and gluten-free products are most frequently requested, and gluten-free products are the most donated/stocked and most difficult to accommodate. ConclusionFood pantries play a critical role in reducing the burden experienced by food-insecure individuals; however, most pantries are unable to provide sufficient accommodations for clients with food allergies or other diet-treated conditions, including staff training, provision of allergen-friendly products, or identifying food-insecure college students with dietary restrictions, and promoting food allergy safety and nutritional impacts.

Association between participation in the supplemental nutrition assistance program and perception of limited availability and choice of healthy foods.

Nutrition security encompasses stable and equitable access, availability, affordability, and utilization of healthy foods. To evaluate the relationship of two newly created dichotomous measures that represent aspects of nutrition security (i.e., perceived limited availability and healthfulness choice) with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation. Logistic regression models were run for each outcome separately with adjustment for age, income-to-poverty ratio, gender, education, race, and food security. Adults using social services (e.g., food pantries) were enrolled (N = 402) in this cross-sectional analysis. SNAP participants (61.7%) were not different from non-SNAP participants in perceiving limited availability (aOR [95% CI]: 1.21 [0.75, 1.95]) or limited ability to choose (aOR [95% CI]: 0.69 [0.43, 1.12]) healthy foods. Both SNAP and non-SNAP participants with low socioeconomic status report limited availability of healthy foods in their environment and a limited ability to choose healthy foods.

Combating Food Insecurity Through Implementing Food Pantry Amenities in Clinical Settings

Combating Food Insecurity Through Implementing Food Pantry Amenities in Clinical Settings

Examining Associations Between Skin Carotenoids, Self-Reported Fruit and Vegetable Intake, and Diet Quality Among Predominantly Hispanic/Latinx Food Pantry Clients

Examining Associations Between Skin Carotenoids, Self-Reported Fruit and Vegetable Intake, and Diet Quality Among Predominantly Hispanic/Latinx Food Pantry Clients

Food Literacy and Mental Health Among College Students Using Campus Food Pantry Services in a Historically Black Institution in the United States

Food Literacy and Mental Health Among College Students Using Campus Food Pantry Services in a Historically Black Institution in the United States

Somos Esenciales, We are Essential: Our Mental Health is Essential. Research for, by and of the Latinx Community in the Mission District during the Pandemic

We are Latinx immigrants and children of Latinx immigrants. We provided emergency volunteer services at the Mission Food Bank during the pandemic to provide food assistance to low-income families in the Mission District and the city of San Francisco. In March 2021, we were invited to lead a research project that we call “We are Essential”. Here we share our process and a few of our findings on the mental health of San Francisco's Latinx community during the pandemic, with a focus on our children and youth. A full report of our findings will be published in 2024.

Infrastruktur Konektivitas, Peran Pemerintah, dan Perkembangan Sosial Ekonomi Regional: Bukti dari Kalimantan

The Island of Kalimantan, designated by the Indonesian government as the site for the new capital city, necessitates significant infrastructure improvements to support its economic development. This research evaluates the progress of the connectivity infrastructure in Kalimantan, reviews the role of the government in facilitating this development, and estimates the relationship between infrastructure and the community’s social and economic activities. The study applies descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, comparative studies, and interregional input-output methodology by utilizing various data sources including the central government budget, regional government budget, village potential data, Susenas, and Geographic Information System GIS) data. Our findings reveal increasing budgets from both central and local governments, yet limited improvements in road infrastructure. An increase in the availability of road infrastructure per km² is positively correlated with enhanced trading activities, the provision of shops, improved public transportation, and better access to education and health facilities. In addition, the establishment of airports and ports is linked to higher per capita income and increased service and manufacturing activities, as well as the growth of food stalls, shops, and banking services.

Partnering With Food Pantries to Disseminate and Implement Eating Disorder Interventions.

Food insecurity is associated with eating disorder psychopathology. This Spotlight describes why food pantries could be promising partners for disseminating and implementing eating disorder interventions. Researchers are increasingly collaborating with community-based organizations to improve access to health interventions, because community-based organizations overcome structural barriers to traditional healthcare by being embedded physically in the communities they serve, convenient to visit, regularly frequented, and led by trusted community members. We describe strategies we have identified with our partner to disseminate and implement our digital intervention for binge eating; we also discuss ways we support the pantry's needs to improve the mutuality of the partnership. The potential benefits of partnerships with food pantries make this an area to explore further. Future research directions include deeply engaging with food pantries to determine how pantries benefit from disseminating and implementing eating disorder interventions and how to intervene in non-stigmatizing ways, what resources they need to sustainably support these efforts, what eating disorder intervention modalities guests are willing and able to engage with, what intervention adaptations are needed so individuals with food insecurity can meaningfully engage in eating disorder intervention, and what implementation strategies facilitate uptake to intervention sustainably over time.

The Intersection of Food Security and Mental Health in the Pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals.

Food insecurity, a multifaceted global challenge, intertwines with mental health concerns, necessitating nuanced strategies for sustainable solutions. The intricate web of challenges posed by these intersections has made it imperative to delineate a strategic way forward, incorporating solutions and robust policy recommendations. This study aims to comprehensively examine the intricate relationship between food security and its intersection with mental health on a global scale, offering insights into case studies, responses, and innovative approaches to inform effective strategies for addressing these pressing challenges. This study involved an analysis of a literature search, mainly between 2013 and 2023, with an updated addition of relevant 2024 studies. Examining responses across regions unveils varied interventions, from targeted social safety net programs in West Africa to technology-driven solutions in Asia. Success stories, such as Ghana's sustainable agricultural practices and Canada's income transfer programs, underscore the efficacy of multifaceted approaches. Innovative initiatives like community food programs offer promising alternatives to traditional food banks. Furthermore, international cooperation and policy innovations, exemplified by the European Union's "Farm to Fork Strategy", demonstrate the potential for collective action in addressing food insecurity. By prioritizing integrated strategies, global collaboration, and evidence-based policymaking, we lay the groundwork for sustainable development where communities thrive nutritionally and mentally. We emphasize continuous research and evaluation and incorporating mental health support into community programs to pave the way for a future where communities are not only food-secure but also mentally resilient.

Refugee youth’s perspective on the role that food insecurity plays in a healthy community: a photovoice project

PurposeFood insecurity is a major public health concern, especially for refugee families. Despite the growing population of refugee families in the USA and the harmful effects on youth’s health and well-being, there are limited qualitative studies exploring food insecurity among US refugee adolescents. The use of community-based participatory research and photovoice can highlight the strength of gathering and sharing underrepresented and disadvantaged group experiences. The purpose of this study was to understand adolescent refugee's food insecurity perspectives and experiences, with a nutrition and food access focus. Three main themes and nine subthemes emerged around the role that food security plays in a healthy, thriving community. The main themes included food must be more accessible in school; importance of food access in one’s community; and food access and creating a vibrant community. Implications regarding how to apply these results with community and school-based food programs are discussed.Design/methodology/approachThis study followed a phenomenological research approach to understand the experiences of refugee youth and what constitutes healthy food access in a community. Data analysis was conducted using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) thematic analysis to ensure that data saturation was met (Guest et al., 2006).FindingsThe thematic analysis of the photovoice methodological approach revealed three main themes and nine subthemes around the role that food security plays in a healthy and thriving community. These themes are as follows: food must be more accessible in school; importance of food access in one’s community; and food access and creating a vibrant community.Research limitations/implicationsFunding resources limited the duration of meeting in which we could meet and discuss the photo’s students were taking. Second, consistent with phenomenological studies, the sample size was small. However, common sample size for studies using a phenomenological approach ranged from 5 to 25 (Creswell et al., 2007), which is in alignment with this study. Next, while participants did receive training in the SHOWeD method, the photography training was limited to only one hour. Despite the limited training, participants felt they had sufficient knowledge and skills to take the necessary pictures.Practical implicationsThis study provides important policy implications for school-based food programs, such as food pantries and free or reduced school meals, and how it plays an important role in refugee youth’s well-being and education. Based on feedback from the study participants, many school-based food programs were considered not available or easily accessible, and that youth and their families were often unaware of programs available to them. This study revealed the important role schools can play in ensuring food security among refugee youth and their families as well as for refugee youth to reach their full potential equitably.Originality/valueThis study used a creative research approach that integrates photovoice as a means to elevate the voices of a marginalized populations. This approach has been identified as one of the most culturally appropriate method when working with refugee children and youth (Pieloch et al., 2016). Second, the study included having multiple meetings, that recruited from previously established partnerships. This form of community building and activism elevates participants voices (Catalani and Minkler, 2009). Finally, this study used a cycle of photography and discussion and held a final public photo exhibition for both the participant’s community and its influential leaders (Catalani and Minkler, 2009; Evans-Agnew and Rosemberg, 2016). The results of this study have important policy implications for schools and communities.

Food bank perceptions and food insecurity of older people: findings from an empirical study and how health and social care professionals might offer more support

Food bank perceptions and food insecurity of older people: findings from an empirical study and how health and social care professionals might offer more support

Are we meeting student needs? Developing a measure for college food pantry satisfaction

Are we meeting student needs? Developing a measure for college food pantry satisfaction

Nurturing care assets for food security: a community asset mapping approach

BackgroundZip codes classified by the Food Insecurity Index with moderate and high food insecurity (FI) risk can be a threat to the health and well-being of children during the first 1,000 days (from pregnancy to 2 years). The presence of nurturing care assets (i.e., stable environments that promote health and nutrition, learning opportunities, security and safety, and responsive relationships) can contribute to supporting families and their communities, and ultimately reduce systemic barriers to food security. We aimed to identify and characterize nurturing care assets in under-resourced communities with moderate and high FI risk.MethodsFour steps were used to conduct a Community Asset Mapping (CAM): (1) review of community documents across five zip codes in Clark County, Nevada (2), engagement of community members in identifying community assets (3), definition of the assets providing nurturing care services, and (4) classification of assets to nurturing care components, i.e., good health, adequate nutrition, safety and security, opportunities for early learning, and responsive caregiving. The Food Insecurity Index was used to determine FI risk in each zip code. Analyses explored whether disparities in nurturing care assets across zip codes with moderate and high FI exist.ResultsWe identified 353 nurturing care assets across zip codes. A more significant number of nurturing care assets were present in zip codes with high FI risk. The adequate nutrition component had the most assets overall (n = 218, 61.8%), while the responsive caregiving category had the least (n = 26, 7.4%). Most of the adequate nutrition resources consisted of convenience stores (n = 96), food pantries (n = 33), and grocery stores (n = 33). Disparities in the number and type of good health, early learning, and security and safety assets were identified within zip codes with high FI risk compared to moderate FI risk.ConclusionsThe quantity and type of nurturing care assets can exacerbate existing demographic disparities across zip codes, which are tied to barriers to access to food in under-resourced communities in Clark County, Nevada. Co-creating a nurturing care asset-based zip code strategy to address high FI risk will require strengthening systems across existing nurturing care assets.

Characterizing Profiles of Alternative Food Source Utilization Among New Food Bank Users in Urban, Semi-Urban, and Rural Settings in Quebec (Canada)

ABSTRACT This study aimed to characterize alternative food source (AFS) utilization profiles among newly registered food bank (FB) users in urban, semi-urban, and rural settings. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on the baseline data of the Pathways Study, a cohort of newly registered FB-users in Québec (2018–2020). Participants aged between 18–63 responsible for household food acquisition (n = 990) were included. Latent class analysis was used to classify FB-users into three latent AFS utilization profiles: FB-Exclusive-users, FB-Fruit/Vegetable-Market-users, and Multiple-AFS-users. The socio-demographic factors related to AFS utilization profiles vary across settings. These differences should be considered to improve AFS access.