Associations between client choice in food pantries and client food security status

Abstract

This study determined the relationship between client choice and client food security status, and how the relationship was affected by household type. Data was obtained from the Voices for Food Project. Among the various goals for that project, was the goal of guiding pantries to transition from a traditional food distribution system to a client-choice system where clients could select the kinds of foods they preferred. The results showed that pantry client choice satisfaction was significantly associated with greater food security status (X2 (1, N = 685) = 8.81, p = .003). There were no differences between household type and choice satisfaction (X2 (1, N = 685) = 0.81, p = .366 However, differences existed between household type and food security status (X2 (1, N = 685) = 22.56, p [less than] .001), the households with children were less likely to be food secure. In predicting food security by client choice satisfaction, being satisfied and being older resulted in significantly higher odds for food security (choice satisfaction OR: 3.20; 95 [percent] CI: 1.54, 7.54, age OR: 1.02; 95 [percent] CI: 1.01, 1.04). Whereas, having children in a household yielded lesser odds for food security (households having children OR: 0.52; 95 [percent] CI: 0.34, 0.81). The sex of householder did not play a role in predicting household food security based on choice satisfaction (sex OR: 1.01; 95 [percent] CI: 0.69,1.49). Provision of client choice in food pantries could improve client food security status and could be added support to governmental food assistance programs targeted at addressing food insecurity in the nation.