FOOD BANK USERS - SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC AND NUTRITIONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Background: The continued expansion of food assistance programs makes it important to examine the sociodemographic characteristics and nutri tional profiles of people relying on this service. The authors underto ok such a study in a large urban centre. Methods: A total of 490 food bank users were randomly selected from a stratified random sample of 5 7 urban food banks in Montreal. A questionnaire and a dietary recall i nterview were given by a dietitian-interviewer to determine socioecono mic, demographic and cultural characteristics and macronutrient intake . These data were compared with national and provincial data. Results: The mean age of the participants (256 men and 234 women) was 41 years ; 204 (41.6%) were living alone and most (409 [83.5%]) were receiving social assistance benefits. These food bank users were well educated ( 190 [38.8%] had completed technical school or had a college or univers ity education), and the sample included few elderly or disabled people . The median body mass index was greater than 24, which indicated that energy intake, although below recommended levels, was not a chronic p roblem. The people using the food banks had a monthly shortfall in the ir food budget of between $43 and $46. Interpretation: Food banks are used regularly, primarily by young healthy adults. They are thought of as a necessary community resource.