Who's Accessing Emergency Food Services?

Introduction/Objective. Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf (CEFS), in Burlington, VT, seeks to improve services and offerings by understanding demographics and utilization by clients. Our goal was to collect demographic and consumption data to identify areas where CEFS could enhance services to improve access to healthy foods.

Methods. We developed a survey from primary literature sources regarding food shelves looking to increase healthy offerings and healthful food consumption. The survey assessed current food shelf use and healthful eating knowledge. It was administered to 180 individuals between 10/13/14-10/31/14. 

Results. >80% of clients regularly consuming whole grains and produce received them from CEFS, while only 45% and 63% of client regularly consuming dairy and meat products respectively, received them from CEFS. Percentage of food obtained from CEFS was highest in the 18-25 age demographic, homeless, unemployed/disabled and those with a high school education. 46% of clients travel to CEFS by car with an average travel time of 20 minutes. Most clients have been accessing CEFS for >1yr. Males and part-time workers ate fewer meals and fruits per day, while homeless were at biggest risk for not eating three meals per day.

Conclusion. The meat and dairy discrepancy should be improved to meet CEFS client demand. In addition, younger male populations are more likely to not eat enough fruits per day. CEFS client health can be improved by expanded services and food education program to encourage consumption of three meals and fruits or vegetables per day. This approach could be used in other geographic locations.