We are: America's Second Harvest.
Learn About Hunger
Print page

Section 13.3.1

13.3.1 - Products Purchased From Sources Other Than Food Bank

Agencies were asked to indicate the categories of products that their programs purchased with cash from sources other than their food bank resources. Results based on agency responses are summarized in Table 13.3.1.

Table 13.3.1
PRODUCTS PURCHASED FROM SOURCES OTHER THAN FOOD BANK
Categories of Products Programs Purchased with Cash from Sources Other than the Agency's Food Bank 1  Pantry Programs Kitchen Programs Shelter Programs
Bread, cereal, rice, and pasta 30.8% 38.1% 47.2%
Fresh fruits and vegetables 19.1% 46.0% 56.5%
Canned or frozen fruits and vegetables 25.5% 33.5% 37.4%
Meat, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts 38.4% 56.0% 65.3%
Milk, yogurt, and cheese 20.9% 47.2% 63.1%
Fats, oils, condiments, and sweets 15.2% 39.1% 45.2%
Cleaning or personal hygiene products, diapers, and toilet paper 33.0% 41.4% 68.2%
Other 2  8.3% 13.1% 8.7%
No outside purchases 30.3% 8.7% 5.3%
SAMPLE SIZE (N) 12,468 2,853 2,131

Source 
This table was constructed based on usable responses to Question 25 of the agency survey.
 
Notes 
All usable responses were weighted as described in Chapter 3 and in the Technical Appendix volume to represent all emergency food programs of the A2H network. The sample sizes (N) also include missing data.

Missing, don't know, and refusal responses combined are 7.5% for pantry programs, 14.7% for kitchen programs, and 12.6% for shelter programs.


1. Multiple responses were accepted.

2. This includes beverages, such as coffee, tea, and juice; paper products, such as plastic utensils, paper plates, and garbage bags; and laundry products.

 
 
As Table 13.3.1 shows, 30.3% of the pantries, 8.7% of the kitchens, and 5.3% of the shelters did not purchase products from sources other than their food banks. However, most emergency food programs purchased products they needed from sources other than their food banks. More details follow:

  • 30.8% of the pantries, 38.1% of the kitchens, and 47.2% of the shelters purchased bread, cereal, rice, and pasta.
  • 19.1% of the pantries, 46.0% of the kitchens, and 56.5% of the shelters purchased fresh fruits and vegetables.
  • 25.5% of the pantries, 33.5% of the kitchens, and 37.4% of the shelters purchased canned or frozen fruits and vegetables.
  • 38.4% of the pantries, 56.0% of the kitchens, and 65.3% of the shelters purchased meat, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts.
  • 20.9% of the pantries, 47.2% of the kitchens, and 63.1% of the shelters purchased milk, yogurt, and cheese.
  • 15.2% of the pantries, 39.1% of the kitchens, and 45.2% of the shelters purchased fats, oils, condiments, and sweets.
  • 33.0% of the pantries, 41.4% of the kitchens, and 68.2% of the shelters purchased cleaning or personal hygiene products, diapers, and toilet paper.