Food Acquisition Strategies, Food Security, and Health Status among Families with Children Using Food Pantries

Social workers working with families must consider the relationship between food insecurity and health. Low-income households often have limited food options and rely on food acquisition strategies to stretch food dollars. This study included 532 adults with children who completed surveys at one of 40 food pantries in 26 counties. This study highlights the ways families acquired food to meet their needs, what health issues were prevalent, and the relationship between food acquisition strategies and food security. Despite using multiple acquisition strategies, 74% were in food-insecure households and 80% were overweight or obese. This study provides evidence that food security and health should be considered when conducting assessments, testing interventions, and developing policies across practice settings.