Attitudes and behaviors of food pantry directors and perceived needs and wants of food pantry clients

Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB) recently adopted the Choose Healthy Options Program (CHOP). CHOP uses a simple algorithm that designates a 1 (choose frequently), 2 (moderately), or 3 (infrequently) to foods based on nutrient profiles. Food orders of 402 partner agencies (PAs) in Atlanta and northwest Georgia were analyzed for the 6 weeks prior to and following CHOP implementation. Additionally, 9 PAs participated in in-depth interviews to explain purchasing motivations, impact of CHOP, client feedback mechanisms, and perceptions of clients’ needs. Agencies increased their pounds of CHOP 1 foods by nearly 43% during the study period. PAs indicated that CHOP was useful for deciding between food items of the same food category that had differing CHOP rankings.