Improving Client Experience and Charitable Food Reach and Access at Food Pantries: A Qualitative Study

Area of Science:

• Community Health
• Health Equity
• Implementation Science

Background:

• Food pantries are vital community resources with potential for health promotion.
• Understanding client perspectives is crucial for optimizing food pantry services.
• Existing research lacks in-depth exploration of client experiences within food pantries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore food pantry client perspectives to enhance client experience, reach, and access.
• To identify factors influencing food pantry utilization and identify strategies to reduce stigma.
• To inform the development of client-centered approaches for community-based health promotion.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving 52 adult food pantry clients in Cook County, Illinois.
• Interviews conducted in English, Spanish, or Cantonese.
• Thematic analysis of interview transcripts using the Health Equity Implementation Framework.

Main Results:

• Key factors influencing pantry use include food availability/quality, client choice, staff interactions, multilingual services, and wait times.
• Clients suggested feedback mechanisms and community outreach to engage those avoiding pantries due to stigma.
• Participants represented diverse demographics: 69% female, 48% Black, 29% Asian, 15% Hispanic/Latino.

Conclusions:

• Client-centered feedback and engagement strategies can improve food pantry experience, reach, and access.
• Addressing client-identified barriers can reduce stigma associated with food pantry use.
• Food pantries offer a promising setting for community-based health promotion in diverse populations.