title: Giving Economically Disadvantaged, Minority Food Pantry Patrons' a Voice: Implications for Equitable Access to Sufficient, Nutritious Food.
abstract: This study provides economically disadvantaged, minority food pantry patrons (hereafter, patrons) a meaning-ful voice by examining their experiences trying to obtain sufficient, nutritious food. Five focus groups were conducted using a semistructured discussion guide. Atlast.ti software was used to manage and analyze the data. Patrons reported that pantry staff who preserved their dignity by showing compassion were highly valued. Stigma and shame associated with pantry use were major concerns. Patrons suggested environmental and policy changes to improve their food acquisition experiences. These findings suggest that multilevel interventions addressing food access, food distribution policies, and patron-staff interactions are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Physical Therapy & Human Movement Science (Dr Greer and Ms Castrogivanni) and Social Work (Dr Cross-Denny), Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut; and Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport, Bridgeport, Connecticut (Ms McCabe).
authors.forename: Anna E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Greer
authors.forename: Bronwyn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cross-Denny
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McCabe
authors.forename: Brianna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Castrogivanni
mesh_terms: D017144:Focus Groups; D005523:Food Supply / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D018673:Nutrition Policy / Q000191:economics*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*