Relationship between food insecurity and self-efficacy in a food pantry intervention: A randomized control study

Introduction

The national food bank network has grown in numbers and scope over three decades while the prevalence of food insecurity has risen to almost 15%. Freshplace is a novel food pantry designed to address the underlying issues of poverty by increasing self-efficacy of clients. Freshplace is based on the Stages of Change model, which promotes self-efficacy as the basis for motivation and action. No other study has explored the relationships between food insecurity and self-efficacy in an emergency food program.

Methods

We conducted a randomized control study, comparing 112 Freshplace clients with 115 controls over 18 months to: (1) test the reliability of a new Self-Efficacy Scale; (2) identify associations between self-efficacy and food security; and (3) evaluate whether Freshplace increases self-efficacy and food security over 18 months, using multivariate regression models.

Results

This study produced a reliable scale for measuring self-efficacy for food security (Cronbach α reliability test = 0.77). Self-efficacy and food security were significantly associated (p<.01). Increases in self efficacy significantly reduced the odds of very low food security over time (p=.01). Being in the Freshplace program bolstered self efficacy by an extra .03 points every quarter (p=.04).

Discussion

Traditional food pantries fail to address the root causes of poverty or boost clients’ sense of confidence. A new approach to charitable food assistance is needed which fosters dignity and self-efficacy. The Freshplace intervention may serve as a model for building long-term food security by increasing self-efficacy among populations that depend on food assistance programs.