CONSTRICTION IN THE VARIETY OF URBAN FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS BY PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS

The urban poor face a number of health challenges, many linked to lack of sufficient and consistent access to nutritious foods. Social ecology models demonstrate the negative impacts of high food cost and limited availability in urban areas. These studies note that "food deserts" have a profound impact on physiological pathologies of urban poor populations. Food pantries are an understudied feature of these urban landscapes. To address this gap, this study surveys the contents of food pantry donations during the month of September 2008. Data demonstrate the socioeconomic impact of reductions of charitable food donations on the diets of the urban poor.