Increasing Low-income Residents’ Access to Fresh Produce through a Local Mobile Pantry

Author

Laura Wasson, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow

Date of Graduation

5-2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Human Environmental Sciences

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Human Nutrition and Hospitality Innovation

Advisor/Mentor

Bailey, Mechelle

Committee Member/Reader

Hill, Laura

Committee Member/Second Reader

Nalley, Lawton

Abstract

Seeds that Feed (STF) is a mobile food pantry located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. STF receives produce from local farmers to distribute to residents in low-income housing sites throughout Northwest Arkansas. According to Feeding America, food insecurity affected 14.3% Washington County, Arkansas’ population in 2016. The purpose of this study was to determine if STF’s model is an effective way to increase individuals’ access to fresh fruits and vegetables and increase their potential to meet the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Patterns (USDA-FP) for to fruit and vegetable consumption. Twenty-three participants from three sites completed the study. A survey was used to collect basic demographics and dietary patterns. Record was taken of what foods each participant received on the survey day including plans for preparation and to whom it would be served. All anonymous responses were statistically analyzed using Excel. The results indicated that the likelihood to meet the USDA-FP for overall fruit and vegetable intake increased significantly after receiving approximately one cup of fruit and 1 ½ cups of vegetables from STF. A positive correlation was found between the number of times participants received produce from STF and participant’s total fruit intake and total intake of the “red/orange” and “other” vegetable subgroups. Therefore, STF’s model appears to be an effective method to increase access to fresh produce. Future research could utilize STF’s model to assess the potential for other supplemental nutrition programs to help low-income residents meet the USDA-FP and reduce food insecurity via mobile pantry.

Keywords

mobile pantry; nutrition; fruits; vegetables; food insecurity; Arkansas; service learning

Citation

Wasson, L. (2019). Increasing Low-income Residents’ Access to Fresh Produce through a Local Mobile Pantry. Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/hnhiuht/9