Health Equity

Health Equity

Virginia’s food banks and their network of over 1,000 pantry partners are committed to not just providing food, but also promoting health for the 900,000 neighbors they reach each year. To accomplish this, a group of neighbors facing hunger, food pantry partners, statewide food bank staff, and health and community partners developed The Healthy Pantry Initiative.

The Healthy Pantry Initiative is a movement guiding all interested pantries to implement more health-focused and neighbor-centered practices.

Purpose

All pantries in Virginia, regardless of their size or capacity, can implement healthy pantry practices to better support the health and nutrition of neighbors facing hunger.

Vision

Neighbors facing hunger can achieve their desired level of health.

health equity

Practices

Food Availability

Foods offered meet the unique dietary needs of neighbors facing hunger

  • Offer items from each of the five food groups (fruits, vegetables, protein, grains, and dairy)
  • Offer fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Offer food choices that address specific chronic disease or dietary needs
  • Offer foods to meet cultural/religious needs of neighbors

Neighbor Centered

Barriers are removed so that neighbors facing hunger can access the foods they need to thrive

  • Enable neighbors to choose which types of food they would like from the pantry
  • Collect neighbor feedback on pantry services and utilize when making organizational decisions
  • Serve neighbors on evenings and/or weekends
  • Address transportation barriers in at least one way
  • Have materials, resources, or processes for serving non-English speakers
  • Serve anyone in need of food assistance, regardless of location, etc.
  • Make accommodations for people with all physical and mental abilities
  • Support a culturally inclusive and welcoming environment

Health Education

Neighbors are empowered with the tools and self-efficacy to make healthy choices

  • Offer healthy, product specific, recipe cards
  • Use a visual system to highlight the location of healthy items within the pantry
  • Offer nutrition and health education materials/resources
  • Someone who regularly works with the food pantry is trained on MyPlate or a formal nutrition education curriculum
  • Food demonstrations and tastings, cooking classes, or nutrition education sessions are offered on site

Community Connection

Community partners work together to connect neighbors with resources and support to help them thrive

  • Provide information or additional resources on benefits, health, and other social needs
  • Provide and/or receive neighbor referrals to community health or social benefit services
  • Offer health services or social support on site

For more information, contact our

Health Equity Manager at (757) 201-6279.