Development and Testing of the Healthy Food Pantry Assessment Tool

Objective: To develop and test an observational survey that quantifies food pantry environments (FPE). Design: Best practices in FPE were identified through key informant interviews. The tool was pilot-tested, including a content review, and then field-tested for reliability. Setting: Key informant phone interviews (n = 41); pilot and field test visits occurred at 45 pantries from multiple states. Subjects: Food bank/pantry staff and nutrition educators were recruited for interviews through purposive and snowball sampling. Pilot and field test survey users (n = 65) were food pantry representatives and matched community partners who both rated the FPE using the tool. Variables Measured: Pearson correlation was used to determine test-retest and interrater reliability. Analysis: Qualitative data were coded for healthy FPE strategies. Quantitative data were calculated using descriptive statistics (significant at P < .05). Results: Qualitative data were coded for observable FPE characteristics. Reliability scores were substantial to nearly perfect for 48 of 61 survey items (79%) for test-retest and 49 of 61 (80%) for interrater reliability (Pearson r = .6-1.0). Conclusions and Implications: The Healthy Food Pantry Assessment Tool is research-tested and can be used to evaluate and quantify the healthfulness of FPE.