Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Nutrition and Food Science

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

School-based food pantry interventions are effective and accessible entry points for addressing structural barriers to food access in rural communities. To examine the implementation of these interventions as effective approaches to food insecurity, three interrelated studies were conducted.

The first study conducted a comprehensive review of the peer-reviewed literature to identify and describe school-based community food pantry interventions addressing food insecurity in rural communities. Although limited, the literature indicates that school-based food pantries provide neutral, convenient, and accessible environments that reduce stigma and integrate into family routines. However, research on the implementation, effectiveness, and sustainability of these interventions in rural settings remains scarce. This review highlights the need for longitudinal studies to assess whether school-based community food pantries can provide sustainable nutritional support to rural households over time.

The second study used surveys to assess community-level food access challenges and the perceived feasibility, acceptability, and practicality of implementing school-based community food pantries in the St. Helena Parish School District, among parents, guardians, and faculty and staff. Findings showed strong community support for school-based pantries among both groups, with parents expressing a clear preference for a client-choice, grocery-store–style distribution model that allows families to select foods based on their individual needs and preferences.

The third study used focus group discussions to explore pantry users' perceptions of implementing school-based community food pantries in the St. Helena Parish School District. Four major themes emerged: appreciation for the client-choice model; the importance of dignity and a welcoming environment; concerns about nutritional quality and food availability; and access barriers related to operating hours, transportation, and insufficient community outreach. Participants described Lena's Closet Food Pantries as a critical supplemental resource that alleviated financial stress and helped bridge monthly food gaps, while also identifying systemic limitations that constrained the pantries' ability to operate at full capacity.

Collectively, this research addresses a gap in the literature by providing formative evidence on the implementation and community reception of school-based food pantries in a rural, high-poverty, predominantly African American community. The findings offer practical, replicable guidance for developing equitable and sustainable food-access interventions in similarly underserved rural settings.

Date

4-14-2026

Committee Chair

Holston, Denise

LSU Acknowledgement

1

LSU Accessibility Acknowledgment

1

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Available for download on Tuesday, March 22, 2033

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