Food insecurity challenge to families in the greater Chattanooga area: the case of the food bank

This paper discusses food insecurity challenges to families in the Greater Chattanooga Area and factors that contribute to combating the challenge. Specifically, the paper places regional developments in a national context and analyzes the multiple roles of regional food banks in this process. Food banks have shifted focus from providing foods with sufficient caloric intake to also ensuring that they are providing food with sufficient nutritional value. We identify several factors that contribute to this change, including federal policy changes, economic fluctuations, the nutrition initiative, and organizational changes from the umbrella organization, Feeding America. This case also explores the reaction of the Chattanooga Area Food Bank (CAFB), including changes in nutritional profiling, policies, and the distribution of fresh produce. We conclude by evaluating the challenges and possible solutions for improving nutrition practices at local food banks that can lead to further improvements in combating food insecurity for the families in the Greater Chattanooga area and nationwide