While food banks are typically good at tracking and communicating the quantity of food they distribute, there’s often less focus on the nutritional quality of that food. Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) is working to shift this paradigm by encouraging food banks to prioritize and emphasize nutrition. They have developed a [Healthy Hunger Relief Index](file:///C:/Users/andra.tomsa/Downloads/Healthy%20Hunger%20Relief%20Index.pdf “‌”), a self – assessment tool that allows food banks to measure the extent to which their policies and operations focus on nutrition.

Introduced the previous year, the index aims to make food bank organization accountable for nutritional content top to bottom, not just in the nutrition department. Carmen Berry, Senior Manager at PHA, stated they seek to integrate nutrition across all departments. PHA currently works with 60 food banks, aiding them in promoting healthy food distribution. As a result, these partners have boosted their distribution of healthy food by 122 million pounds while reducing junk food by 19 million pounds. About half of these partners have completed the index.

The index process starts with a comprehensive meant to be completed by as many food bank employees as possible. Questions range from inquiring if the food bank nutrition-ranks at least 50% of its inventory, to whether nutrition is a part of the food bank’s mission statement, to assessing if the organization prioritizes its staff’s health and wellness.

The survey reveals the extent of nutrition’s incorporation in a food bank’s culture and identifies areas for improvement. It also exposes disparities between the food bank’s nutritional efforts and staff awareness. Carmen Berry referred to it as a personal progress report highlighting where the food bank needs to concentrate its efforts.

San Diego Food Bank had over 40 employees complete the index this year, uncovering some surprising facts such as lack of awareness that the food bank nutrition-ranked its food. These findings underscored the need for improved internal communication about their nutrition initiatives.

The survey’s results can prompt discussions at the food bank’s highest level. At Southwest Virginia Food Bank, the index results rallied the board to emphasize healthy food, influencing their mission statement to focus on “nourishing neighbors”.

San Diego Food Bank has used the survey results to prioritize staff education during director’s meetings and all-staff meetings. They are planning to identify departments lacking knowledge about specific nutrition initiatives and arrange a series of educational sessions for them. They have integrated the index metrics into an Excel dashboard and intend to continue participating in the index annually, reflecting their recognition of the tool’s value.