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Required informational barriers to accessing groceries from food banks

Author

Listed:
  • Alexis Millerschultz

    (The University of Arkansas)

  • Lawton Lanier Nalley

    (The University of Arkansas)

  • Brandon McFadden

    (The University of Arkansas)

  • Rodolfo Nayga

    (Texas A&M University
    Korea University)

  • Wei Yang

    (Texas A&M University)

Abstract

Requirements to obtain groceries from a food pantry (e.g., forms of identification) can create potential “documentation barriers” to participation. A more holistic understanding of potential barriers are obtaining assistance from food pantries, specifically in the United States of America (USA), is warranted due to inflation in food prices, reduction of enhanced COVID-related SNAP benefits, and the increased demand for food pantry participation. In May of 2022, a survey was administered to low-income households across the USA that received groceries from a food pantry the previous month. Food pantry participants were asked which pieces of information were required to obtain groceries during their food pantry visit, including requirements to provide a home address, place of employment, Social Security Card, driver’s license, household size, blood test, and an “other” option in case they were asked to provide something beyond the previous requirements listed. On average, respondents were asked to provide 2.4 pieces of information (out of seven) when visiting a food pantry. Results indicated that 56% of African Americans had to provide their Social Security Card, which was significantly higher than the 21% of White food pantry participants, and requiring a Social Security Card is one of the most significant known barriers to obtaining food assistance. Further, probit model results indicated that the groups most susceptible to being food insecure (e.g., minorities, females, and SNAP-using individuals) were between 11 and 28% more likely to experience more documentation barriers to accessing groceries from a food pantry.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexis Millerschultz & Lawton Lanier Nalley & Brandon McFadden & Rodolfo Nayga & Wei Yang, 2025. "Required informational barriers to accessing groceries from food banks," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 17(1), pages 9-25, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ssefpa:v:17:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s12571-024-01516-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s12571-024-01516-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ana McCormick Myers & Matthew A. Painter, 2017. "Food insecurity in the United States of America: an examination of race/ethnicity and nativity," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 9(6), pages 1419-1432, December.
    2. Broussard, Nzinga H., 2019. "What explains gender differences in food insecurity?," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 180-194.
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