Food Pantry Usage Patterns are Associated with Client Sociodemographics and Health

Christopher R. Long, Marie Rachelle Narcisse, Brett Rowland, Bonnie Faitak, Mary M. Bailey, Joel Gittelsohn, Caitlin E. Caspi, Jill Niemeier, Emily S. English, Pearl A. McElfish

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Characterizing food pantry (FP) clients’ FP usage patterns may provide opportunities to tailor health-related interventions. Respondents (n = 245) at seven FPs reported their frequency and reliance on FPs and their sociodemographics, health status, and health-related trade-offs. Clients were categorized via latent class analysis. Higher FP usage was associated with being older, having a household member with heart disease, and putting off buying medicine to buy food. Lower FP usage was associated with higher levels of education and having a household member with cancer. Findings highlight the potential importance of measuring FP clients’ degree of FP use.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)408-424
Number of pages17
JournalJournal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition
Volume17
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022

Keywords

  • chronic disease
  • food insecurity
  • food pantry
  • heart disease
  • latent class analysis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

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