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 English, Pearl A. McElfish
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.