Assessing Food Pantry Usage and Distance to a Food Pantry in El Paso County, Texas

Food pantries play an important role in meeting the basic food needs of many United States households. Surprisingly, recent studies have found that spatial factors are not predictors of food pantry usage. This article examines whether household distance to a food pantry acts as a barrier to pantry usage in El Paso County, Texas. Using primary survey data and multivariable generalized estimating equations, the authors analyze the relationship between various household distance measures and food pantry utilization. The results show that multiple continuous measures of household distance to the nearest pantry are negatively related to food pantry usage, with households living within one mile (via the road network) being more likely to use a food pantry. These findings can guide insights for food assistance providers and policymakers, emphasizing the importance of establishing food pantry sites in areas with the greatest need and potential for collective impact.