Challenges in US food banks and opportunities for a sustainable food system
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22431193 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Angeline Jeyakumar (0000-0001-7973-0388, University of Nevada, Reno, corresponding author), Devishree Dunna (0000-0002-2781-2768, University of Johannesburg), Norincia Osei-Boateng (University of Nevada, Reno), Norincia Osei Boateng (University of Nevada, Reno), Victoria Agyekum (University of Nevada, Reno), Holly Gatzke (University of Nevada, Reno), Jamie Benedict (University of Nevada, Reno), Sandra Nyarko (University of Nevada, Reno) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 9 |
| Pages | 1-52 |
| Publication date | 2026-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Global Sustainability (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2059-4798 • E-ISSN: 2059-4798 |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1017/sus.2026.10049 |
| OpenAlex | W7131777465 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 127 |
Non-Technical Summary Food banks in the United States are part of the robust food system that addresses hunger among the population. A comprehensive description of the challenges faced by food banks in the United States is crucial to understanding and responding to the diverse needs. A careful assessment of the literature highlights opportunities not only to improve the efficiency of services, but also to identify strategies and strengthen partnerships to build a sustainable food system. Technical Summary This systematic scoping review aimed to characterize the challenges in the US food banks and recognize opportunities for a sustainable food system. Five electronic search engines/databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library, were searched for literature published between 2013 and 2025. The search results were reported per the PRISMA guidelines. Of the 123 selected articles, a majority covered operational challenges ( n = 26), strategies to improve operations ( n = 16), challenges related to nutrition and health ( n = 25), followed by beneficiaries ( n = 20), emergencies ( n = 15), resources ( n = 14), and chronic diseases ( n = 7). Supply chain, partnerships, distribution, and adherence to equity principles were included under operational challenges. Fiscal, human resource, and infrastructural challenges were discussed under resource challenges. Beneficiaries, particularly the elderly, people with disabilities, refugees, and their unmet needs, were documented. During the pandemic, a lack of trained staff and a disrupted supply chain tested the resilience of food banks. The need to consider the participants’ nutritional needs was recognized across a few domains. Opportunities for sustainable food systems emerged through exploring local resources, partnerships, and community engagements. Innovations in technology and efficient inventory management systems to minimize food waste, and education initiatives to foster self-management emerged as opportunities. Policies that advocate food and nutrition security will create a resilient food system. Social Media Summary Identifying opportunities to address challenges in US food banks to contribute to a sustainable food system.
Food processing · Food security · Food supply · Food systems · Sustainability · Agriculture Sustainability and Environmental Impact · Food Waste Reduction and Sustainability · Organic Food and Agriculture
Food Insecurity and Chronic Disease
Scoping studies
Resiliency within the Socio-Ecological System of a Large Food Bank Network
Responsibility, resentment, and red tape
Mobile Pantries Can Serve the Most Food Insecure Populations
Counteracting Stigma-Power
Transit bus access to healthy, affordable food
Healthful, Cultural Foods and Safety Net Use Among Cambodian and Brazilian Immigrant Communities in Massachusetts
Food insecurity and food pantry use among transgender and gender non-conforming people in the Southeast United States
A survey of food bank operations in five Canadian cities
Development and evaluation of the Food Bank Health and Nutrition Assessment
The acorn squash problem
Food insecurity and diabetes self-management among food pantry clients
Nutrition for homeless populations
Farmers’ markets’ uptake of food assistance programmes in East Tennessee, USA
Understanding Food Sharing Models to Tackle Sustainability Challenges
The ethical dilemmas of foodbanking
Improving community resilience to disrupted food access
The rise of food banks and the challenge of matching food assistance with potential need
Beyond food security to realizing food rights in the US
Food choices at a client choice food pantry
The role of dignity in food assistance
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |