FOOD & ENVIRONMENT | PANTRY ACCESSIBILITY
Pantry Environment – Template
To provide the best pantry environment to your Neighbors, there are several important components to consider. These components aim to make sure that Neighbors can access food efficiently, with dignity, and in a respectful manner. Here are key considerations to review, define your standards, and communicate to your community:
Accommodation
This relates to the ease of reaching the food pantry location.
- Days of operation (i.e. Opposite days from other pantries)
- Hours of operation (optimal for Neighbors you are serving)
- Access (i.e. Walk-in, By appointment, Call ahead, etc.)
- Distribution (i.e. Prefilled bags, Choice pantry, etc.)
- Physically accessible by all abilities
- Cultural and Dietary accessibility
- Preferences and Health considerations
- Language accessibility
Accessibility
This relates to the quality of being able to be reached or entered and the ease of eligibility,
- Age criteria, certain age or youngest allowable age
- Residential criteria (i.e. ZIP codes, Housing developments, etc.)
- Income criteria (i.e. SNAP, WIC, SSI.)
- Employment criteria
- Other eligibility officially or unofficially, registration or membership, first come, first serve, cap on visits in a time, referral from social services
- Self-declaration intake process
Dignity
This relates to creating respectful non-judgmental, and equitable pantry services.
- Clear expectations for staff & and volunteers regarding respectful, non-judgmental, fair treatment of Neighbors
- Neighbors are empowered to make choices and decisions about the food they receive
- Building efficiencies to reduce the mental load and stress on Neighbors being served
- Privacy and confidentiality standards to build trust and protect sensitive information