Establishing a Permanent Food Pantry in a Pediatric Emergency Department

Abstract

Childhood food insecurity is associated with adverse health outcomes. Food pantries housed within healthcare facilities have the potential to reduce childhood food insecurity. An interdisciplinary team established a permanent food pantry in the pediatric emergency department of a metropolitan children’s hospital. Members of the team included attending and resident physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, patient care technicians, a volunteer coordinator, Prevention and Wellness staff, and environmental services staff. The development process, formative evaluation, and impact of the pantry during the first 15 months of use is described. Families presenting to the emergency department were notified of the food pantry and offered a bag of groceries. Data collected included number of adult and children in the household, age ranges of family members, and whether food was accepted. The food pantry provided aid to 2199 households from January 2021 to April 2022. Recipients of food assistance included 4698 children, 3565 adults, and 140 seniors. In addition, the interdisciplinary approach to the development process elucidated barriers to and facilitators of the project’s success, thereby maximizing the food assistance outcome.