How Can Food Banks Improve Nutrition and Health Promotion?

Key Takeaway: An estimated 53 million people in the U.S. relied on food banks and community programs for food assistance in 2021. While food banks have increasingly focused on providing healthy, nutritious options, they have had limited ways to assess the effectiveness of these efforts. A team of researchers, led by Assistant Professor Cassandra Nguyen at the University of California, Davis, developed the Food Bank Health and Nutrition Assessment to address this gap. The tool helps food banks evaluate their current practices, track progress over time, and identify areas for improvement. Effective nutrition promotion goes beyond just food inventory; it involves partnerships with local organizations, feedback from food pantry clients, and providing nutrition education materials in multiple languages. The assessment also highlights the importance of data in advocating for policy changes to better promote nutrition and health. Initially tested by food banks in collaboration with Feeding America, the tool is now available for free to help food banks across the country enhance their nutrition and health initiatives.