Other Titles
Bridging the Gap: Evaluating a Community Food Distribution Center and Its Impact on Food Security and Access [Title Slide]
Other Titles
Rising Star Poster/Presentation - Rapid Presentation Round
Abstract
Food insecurity in the United States is experienced by one in seven American households. In 2023, the food insecurity rate for the U.S. was 13.5%, which was 6% higher than the prior year. As a result of these rising numbers, emphasis has been placed on food insecurity as a social determinant of health that, on its own, serves as a contributing factor and predictor of patient outcomes. The food distribution center is crucial in alleviating food insecurity in Madison County. This program evaluation assesses the efficacy and operational efficiency of the center, providing insights for strategic enhancements and informed policy development decisions. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study integrates quantitative data, including the volume of food distributed and the percentage of participants served, with qualitative insights gathered from stakeholders and participants. This will encompass interviews and satisfaction surveys. Few studies have investigated the impact of food distribution centers on the community. Consequently, this evaluation aims to highlight the impact of the food distribution center on reducing food insecurity among participants. Recommendations encompass bolstering community involvement and understanding the impact of food insecurity on health. These insights aim to refine the center's operations, enhancing its capacity to serve the community effectively.
Notes
Reference list included in attached slide deck.
Sigma Membership
Beta Phi at-Large
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Mixed/Multi Method Research
Keywords:
Social Determinants of Health, Promoting Clinical Outcomes, Clinical Practice, Food Insecurity, Food Distribution, Community Partnership
Recommended Citation
Bates-Ford, Antonia Danielle and Showalter, Darlene, "Evaluation of a Food Distribution Center" (2025). Biennial Convention (CONV). 234.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/convention/2025/presentations_2025/234
Conference Name
48th Biennial Convention
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Invited Presentation
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2025-12-10
Evaluation of a Food Distribution Center
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Food insecurity in the United States is experienced by one in seven American households. In 2023, the food insecurity rate for the U.S. was 13.5%, which was 6% higher than the prior year. As a result of these rising numbers, emphasis has been placed on food insecurity as a social determinant of health that, on its own, serves as a contributing factor and predictor of patient outcomes. The food distribution center is crucial in alleviating food insecurity in Madison County. This program evaluation assesses the efficacy and operational efficiency of the center, providing insights for strategic enhancements and informed policy development decisions. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study integrates quantitative data, including the volume of food distributed and the percentage of participants served, with qualitative insights gathered from stakeholders and participants. This will encompass interviews and satisfaction surveys. Few studies have investigated the impact of food distribution centers on the community. Consequently, this evaluation aims to highlight the impact of the food distribution center on reducing food insecurity among participants. Recommendations encompass bolstering community involvement and understanding the impact of food insecurity on health. These insights aim to refine the center's operations, enhancing its capacity to serve the community effectively.
Description
The Alabama Department of Public Health highlights food insecurity as a major concern that affects over 23% of adults in the state. Assessments of community needs obtained by survey serve as a valuable method for understanding effective interventions. The execution of formal program evaluations is imperative for comprehending and improving the efficacy of strategies to alleviate food insecurity. The aim is to produce findings that translate empirical evidence into actionable recommendations.