Food banks and nutrition, what you can do – new video uploaded to AP Video Hub

In the video, she explains how food banks help increase dietary quality and what people can do to support them. All videos in the Campus Insights series are free for download and use by all AP members and can be found at apvideohub.ap.org or by doing a general search on the Associated Press site. AP members may use the video or to pull quotes for print article or for broadcast or podcast.

STORYLINE

Eicher-Miller says that food insecurity is when an individual does not have enough food for an active, healthy life. In the United States, around 11% of households are living with food insecurity. Research has shown that food banks can have a positive impact on the dietary quality of food-insecure individuals. Dietary quality refers to how well a group of foods meets the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Of people who use food banks, items from the food pantry consist of around 40% of their diet. Eicher-Miller recommends donating money to food banks rather than food. Monetary donations allow the food bank to purchase products that it needs the most and to accommodate dietary restrictions.