Nutrition Quality of Food Drive Donations Is Mediocre

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study assessed nutritional quality of foods donated through large-scale food drives. A cross-sectional, photo-based design was used. Donated foods were categorized according to Healthy Eating Research Nutrition Guidelines for Ranking Charitable Food (HER). Means of sodium, saturated fat, and sugar were calculated and compared with HER nutrient guidelines for 4,484 foods. Only 19.4% of donations were categorized as good nutritional quality. No significant differences existed between food drive events. The association between food insecurity, poor diet quality, and poor health outcomes may be mediated by unhealthy foods donated through food drives. Strategies to facilitate healthy food availability are essential.