Impact of food distribution sites in rural neighborhoods at risk for food insecurity in San Bernardino County

Abstract

<p><strong>Problem and significance.</strong> Food security is an important element in the lifespan of individuals, and access to healthy food is important to the quality of life in communities. The significance of food insecurity is reflective of a community that does not have the resources to provide a consistent and stable intake of healthy and nutritious meals. Food insecurity has been linked to chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and the level of poverty in a community. The United States of America reports that 50 million people suffer from food insecurity, and it is reported as an urgent public health problem. Rural communities of California such as the High Desert (HD) indicated a higher prevalence of food insecurity.</p> <p><strong>Purpose.</strong> The purpose of this DNP scholarly project is to determine if rural communities such as the HD of San Bernardino County are at risk for food insecurity and if food distribution sites (FDS) provide an impact on access to healthy food.</p> <p><strong>Methods.</strong> To determine the level of food insecurity in the HD, a 10-item Household Food Security Survey (HFSS) that has been created and utilized by the USDA and a two-item Fruit and Vegetable (FV) Screener was created and utilized by the National Cancer Institute. Data analysis. SPSS descriptive analysis was conducted to analyze the relationship among the selected demographics, the 10-item HFSS survey, and the two-item cup SRV survey.</p> <p><strong>Results.</strong> Forty-nine adults from the HD who accessed the Food Distribution Site (FDS) volunteered to complete the survey (mean age=53, SD=15.1, range 22 to 85). Of those surveyed, 19 participants (24.3%) were between 60-85 years old. The overall combined score of the HFSS was 5.81 out of 10, indicating that the HD rural community of San Bernardino County suffered from food insecurity. The results of the two-item cup FV SRV indicated that the individuals reporting the serving size of three fruits had the largest increase of fruit intake after access to the FDS. Similarly, with vegetable servings, participants reported an increase of vegetable intake after access at a FDS.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion/Implications for nursing.</strong> Results of the survey indicated that participants at the FDS reported food insecurity. Participants also reported an increase of access to fruits and vegetables due to FDS accessibility. As participants receive access to healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables, the sites offer opportunities to reach an audience to promote healthy lifestyle practices.</p>