Addressing community needs through a participatory food security assessment

Despite substantial evidence describing the overall causes of U.S. food insecurity, in-depth explorations of single communities remain important, to understand geographic variation and identify locally responsive solutions. In one affluent Pennsylvania county, we conducted a mixed-methods community food security assessment, with pantry member surveys, in-depth interviews with pantry coordinators and stakeholders, and community-wide focus groups. Pantry members visited frequently and desired healthier foods, with households with children at highest risk. Food insecurity occurred within broader hardships, including local cost-of-living, inadequate transportation, and documentation fears. Holistic approaches at both individual and policy levels could address immediate needs and foster sustainable community change.