Introduction Food pantry managers play a key role in determining the food environment of the pantry, which can influence their clients’ dietary composition. However, their impact on pantry food environments remains understudied. We sought to understand food pantry managers’ nutrition knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors (KBBs) in this study. Methods We surveyed 47 Alabama food pantry managers’ nutrition KBBs from November 2022 to November 2023. Validated and previously published tools used include the Consumer Nutrition Knowledge Scale, a diet beliefs scale, and a dietary-related consumer behavior questionnaire. Results The majority of managers were college-educated (54%), white (74%), and female (74%), with a mean age of 60 ± 13 years and an average of 7 ± 5.5 years of experience in managing food pantries. Managers reported positive nutrition beliefs and behaviors but scored lower on objective nutrition knowledge. Exploratory analyses indicated moderate to very strong associations between KBBs, pantry characteristics, and neighborhood characteristics. Conclusion Nutrition education for pantry managers, along with improved pantry infrastructural support, could play a key role in improving the healthfulness of the food provided.
Edible gardens can increase fruit and vegetable availability and access. Weighing produce is a method to evaluate gardens, however there are limited methods that translate garden yields to dietary yields and that document Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed) garden yields. We developed a Garden Harvest Calculator to evaluate edible garden economic and dietary impact. Over three spring-to-summer growing seasons, 12 – 18 gardens produced 6,499 pounds of produce worth $11,606.95. This equates to 24,922 cups, enough for 4,984 adults to meet dietary recommendations. SNAP-Ed supported gardens may positively contribute to dietary needs while reducing barriers to food access.
We sought to determine the impact of school gardens and nutrition education on student fruit and vegetable consumption from limited-income communities in Alabama.
