Perceived benefit and impact of a health care-based food pantry: "One Stop Shop"

Background and objective: Health care systems are increasingly implementing interventions such as health care-based food pantries to mitigate the harmful health impacts of food insecurity. Our urban children's hospital established an on-site food pantry within the primary care building. This study seeks to identify the perceived benefits and impact of a health care-based food pantry on health, diet, and family finances.

Methods: In this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with English- and Spanish-speaking caregivers utilizing a pediatric health care-based food pantry. Interview questions explored the impact of the pantry on health, diet, and family finances. Interviews were conducted until thematic saturation was reached. Transcripts were coded and thematically analyzed. Participants also completed surveys to enhance data obtained from the semi-structured interviews. Survey data included health-related social needs (including food insecurity), financial tradeoffs made between food and other necessities, and other utilized food resources.

Results: Of the 23 participants, interview themes included a positive impact on household budget with money saved on food utilized for other expenses. However, participants reported limited impact on diet and health due to the similarity of the food to their usual diet. Additional themes included the perceived benefit of food pantries within health care as a "one stop shop" and the importance of language concordance and being treated respectfully within the pantry. Most participants were food insecure (12, 52.2%) and had ≥1 unmet social need (13, 56.5%). Financial tradeoffs made for food were common with half reporting ≥1 tradeoff (13, 56.5%) in the past 12 months.

Conclusions: We identified a positive financial impact on household finances and perceived benefits of a food pantry's location within health care. The limited impact on diet and perceived health may be due to the intentional offering of foods desired by pantry users.