Increasing food security: Developing and testing a nutrition education curriculum for a mobile food pantry

Background: The Neighborhood Produce Market (NPM) is a food distribution model similar to a mobile food pantry. NPM stakeholders observed a lack of community engagement and familiarity with produce offered. Project Description: The objective was to develop a nutrition education curriculum for NPM volunteers to better engage families and community members by providing food samples, recipes, and nutrition education. A stakeholder steering committee guided the needs assessment, curriculum development, volunteer training, and pilot test. The curriculum consisted of food safety, cultural considerations, and nutritional information for nine produce items and food tasting procedures and recipes. Seven student volunteers were trained to use the curriculum. The effectiveness of the curriculum was evaluated using qualitative feedback from NPM volunteers, stakeholders, and community members. Outcomes: Volunteers stated they felt the curriculum and training adequately prepared them to create food samples and provide nutrition education. NPM stakeholders reported the food samples increased community members’ engagement and excitement about the market and community members enjoyed trying new foods. Conclusion: Food samples, recipes, and nutrition education positively contributed to the NPM by increasing participation and interest