Establishing a Permanent Food Pantry in a Pediatric Emergency Department

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatrics
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Childhood food insecurity is linked to negative health outcomes.
• Healthcare-based food pantries can effectively address food insecurity.
• Establishing such pantries requires careful planning and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the establishment and impact of a food pantry in a pediatric emergency department.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of a healthcare facility-based food pantry in reducing childhood food insecurity.
• To identify barriers and facilitators in implementing a sustainable food pantry program.

Main Methods:

• An interdisciplinary team developed and implemented a permanent food pantry in a pediatric emergency department.
• Families presenting to the emergency department were offered groceries.
• Data on household composition and food acceptance were collected over 15 months.

Main Results:

• The food pantry served 2199 households between January 2021 and April 2022.
• Food assistance reached 4698 children, 3565 adults, and 140 seniors.
• An interdisciplinary approach facilitated the pantry's success and maximized its impact.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare-based food pantries are a viable strategy to combat childhood food insecurity.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial for the successful implementation and sustainability of food pantry programs.
• This initiative demonstrated a significant positive impact on food-insecure families within a hospital setting.