Perspectives from patients using a food pantry in a family medicine residency clinic: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Food insecurity is common in patients receiving care in primary care offices. Some health systems and primary care offices provide food directly to food insecure patients. Our family medicine residency clinic started a food pantry to directly address this social determinant of health. We aimed to understand the reasons patients in primary care visited our food pantry and their impressions of food available directly in a primary care office. METHODS: We conducted semistructured interviews with 21 patients obtaining food from our food pantry. We recorded and transcribed the interviews, and analyzed them with an editing organizing style to highlight noteworthy segments, recognize patterns, and understand important themes. RESULTS: Patients reported numerous barriers to obtaining healthy food, including cost, transportation, and time. Life-changing events often led a patient to a food pantry, and patients often prioritized family members when addressing food insecurity. Food pantry users appreciated the convenience of obtaining food at a medical visit and felt supported by healthy food that aligned with a message received from their physician. CONCLUSIONS: Food insecure patients face many barriers to obtaining healthy food. A colocated food pantry in a primary care office helps address barriers, is convenient, and is appreciated by patients using the service.