A Case Study of Promoting Nutrition and Long-Term Food Security Through Choice Pantry Development

Food pantries were originally designed for temporary emergency food relief, but many families and individuals are becoming increasing reliant on them to meet their monthly food needs. Therefore, food pantries need to holistically address underlying causes of long-term food security. Choice food pantries allow for clients to choose their own food and can be organized in such a way to promote nutrition and food security. This article is a case study describing how a food policy council, initiated by a food bank, developed a choice pantry model that promoted nutrition by using MyPlate Food Groups and provided onsite ancillary services such food stamp outreach and referrals. The food policy council was also instrumental in developing food bank policies that offered an incentive and accountability system for choice pantry development.