Evaluating school-based food pantries using a health equity perspective

In the United States, the charitable food system is one source of support for households experiencing food insecurity. Previous studies have focused on the role of community food pantries in providing nutritious food for households, but few studies have focused on school-based food pantries, located inside or close to kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12) schools. In this study, we conducted a landscape analysis of school pantries in Maryland and used a mixed-methods approach to evaluate the degree to which school pantries promote food access using a health equity perspec­tive. We conducted a survey of 196 school pantries (87.9% response rate) and in-depth interviews and nutritional assessments with a subset of 22 pan­tries. We used the Getting to Equity framework to outline data collection methods and analysis. Like community pantries, our study sample’s school pantries centered clients’ needs, engaged clients, and promoted equity through providing foods that balance healthfulness and cultural relevance and adjusting offerings based on feedback from clients; provided nutrition education; used full choice models when possible; and connected clients with wraparound services and other resources. Addi­tionally, pantry coordinators emphasized the strength of relationships and trust with students and parents, developed through frequent interac­tions. However, school pantries faced capacity challenges because running the pantry was not the full-time job of coordinators. This study provides a model for food banks in other states to evaluate their school pantry programs with equity, commu­nity-engaged, and people-centered perspectives to ensure students and their families have a fair and just opportunity for food access.