INFO’s Dr. Vanessa Frias-Martinez co-leads research to make Maryland’s food charity system more just and accessible
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People who rely on the national food charity system in America often face challenges such as accessibility, a lack of food choice, and nutritious options. To chip away at the problem, a team of researchers from the University of Maryland looked for solutions in the food system in Prince George’s County (PGC), Maryland. What they found following their extensive study can serve as a blueprint for nationwide pantries to move the U.S. food charity system closer to one that is just, accessible, and provides nutritious food options.
Launched by Caroline Boules of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Vanessa Friaz-Martinez of the College of Information, the study revolved around engagement with PGC residents at each stage of the supply chain: urban growers, food pantries, and food pantry clients. Their results were published in a new Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development article, “Conceptualizing Food Justice in the Food Charity System in Prince George’s County, MD.”
Their analysis revealed the differences in perspectives about nutritional food access, equity, and convenience in the food charity system.
KEY FINDINGS
The team found that labor shortages and time constraints deterred growers from donating products, while pantry managers and clients held different opinions about nutritiousness of food options and about the range of food choices in the pantries. In addition, pantry clients faced significant obstacles in accessing food pantries, including transportation and schedule limitations, lack of knowledge about pantry operating times, and very long wait times to receive food.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY, PRACTICE, AND RESEARCH
Food pantries can strengthen both community well-being and local food systems by building closer partnerships with nearby growers. These collaborations would expand the variety of fresh produce available to clients while supporting the local agricultural economy. At the same time, pantries that allow clients to select their own items promote greater client dignity and personal agency. Gathering feedback from clients—through surveys about preferred distribution days, times, and food types—would help ensure that pantry operations align with their needs and preferences. Additionally, offering education on healthy eating or training in food cultivation could further promote self-sufficiency and confidence among those served.
“While acknowledging that true transformation will require much more significant system changes, in this study, we offer recommendations based on principles from the food justice framework,” Boules said. “The incremental solutions that we discuss here can contribute to improved access, equity, nutrition, and self-sufficiency for populations who are in distress right now.”
As evidenced by their study, creating a more just food charity system would require significant restructuring of existing networks and would highlight agency and choice, allowing clients to select foods that are fresh, nutritious, and culturally appropriate and to do so at a time and place that is convenient for them.
The original article was written by Graham Binder & Caroline Boules and published by the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources on October 28, 2025.