School of Medicine

In a recent study, 74% of 430 UCSD Student-Run Free Clinic (UCSDSRFC) patients were food insecure using the 6-item USDA food insecurity screening questionnaire. 30% of the 430 had "very low food security". Since the pubilcation of this study, a robust Food Rx program has been instituted. All patients now receive a "food prescription" consisting of two 5-10 lb bags of healthy food at clinic. Additionally, food insecure patients at UCSDSRFC are often referred to food pantries. At most clinics where a Food Rx program has not or cannot be implemented, referrals to food pantries are one of few interventions available for food insecure patients. However, there is little research that addresses who is most interested in going to a food pantry and if referred patients actually go. This survey study includes 292 patients surveyed during a 3-month period. This survey included the 6-item USDA food insecurity-screening questionnaire and additional questions about food pantry utilization. 31.8% (84/264) patients reported previously going to a food pantry. The most common concerns about food pantry use were transportation and fear of being asked about documentation status. The survey results suggest that there is a weak but statistically significant relationship between food insecurity score and interest in going to a food pantry. This suggests clinical resources directed towards addressing food insecurity through food pantry referrals will be more effective among more food insecure patients. Additionally, previous food pantry visits also appear to hae an effects on interest in going again. Among the interested patients who have reached for follow-up, nearly 40% (14/34) have gone to a food pantry and 85.7% (12/14) plan to go again. More than half (8/14) of these patients had not previously been to a food pantry. Future studies at the UCSDSRFC will include the on-going follow-up of individuals referred to food pantries and comparison of food insecurity and clinical outcomes between individuals using food pantries and those who are not.