from the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development |
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JAFSCD is the world’s only community-supported journal. JAFSCD content is open access (free) thanks to the generous support of our shareholders: the JAFSCD Shareholder Consortium, Library Shareholders, a growing number of Individual Shareholders, and our six JAFSCD Partners: |
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| Equity in action: Lessons from Maryland's school food pantry program School-based pantries in Maryland strengthen food access to culturally appropriate and preferred foods for students and families. |
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JAFSCD peer-reviewed article by Kaitlyn Harper (Johns Hopkins U Bloomberg School of Public Health), Nichole Espineli (Johns Hopkins U Bloomberg School of Public Health), Roni Neff (Johns Hopkins U Bloomberg School of Public Health), and Taz Shah (Johns Hopkins U)
The charitable food system provides critical support for households experiencing food insecurity in the U.S. Although many studies have focused on community-based food pantries, far fewer have examined school-based pantries — those located inside or near K–12 (kindergarten through twelfth grade) schools.
In a new JAFSCD article, Evaluating school-based food pantries using a health equity perspective, authors Dr. Kaitlyn Harper, Nichole Espineli, Dr. Roni Neff, and Taz Shah present findings from a mixed-methods study of nearly 200 school pantries across Maryland. The researchers began by collecting and analyzing quantitative survey data to identify patterns and trends to explore in subsequent stages of the project. These findings guided the collection of qualitative interview data to provide deeper insight and explanation of the quantitative results. They mixed the results of the quantitative and qualitative findings using the Getting to Equity framework.
The study found that school pantries pantries promote equitable food access by centering clients’ needs, providing culturally appropriate and nutritious food, and building trusting relationships with students and families, despite facing challenges of limited staff capacity. Corresponding author Kaitlyn Harper can be contacted at kharpe14@jhu.edu.
KEY FINDINGS -
School pantry coordinators often consider student and family feedback to order foods that balance healthfulness and cultural relevance.
- Like community food pantries, many school pantries use full-choice distribution models, provide nutrition education, and connect families to wraparound services.
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School pantries are often run by counselors, teachers, and administrators. This provides the unique opportunity to build strong and trusting relationships with students and parents, but presents challenges related to capacity.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY, PRACTICE, AND RESEARCH -
Food banks can help support school pantries by developing features in their ordering systems such as “cart protection,” which allows coordinators to place items in their carts without the risk of losing them if they have to pause and come back later. Food banks may also create communities of practice or other collaborative spaces for school pantry coordinators across the state to share best practices, successes, challenges, and strategies for problem solving.
- School food pantry coordinators may consider involving students to help reduce stigma and ensure that pantry offerings meet their needs. Students provide valuable insights into pantry design, outreach, and food selection.
Future research should focus on the long-term effects of school pantry programs on student food security status, mental health and well-being, and academic outcomes across different states and contexts.
SHARE ON YOUR SOCIALS New research on food pantries in schools in Maryland! These pantries improve food access, build trust, and promote equity for students and families. But they have some challenges and some unknowns. Read the full @JAFSCD article for free: https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2025.144.012
#foodpantries #schoolchildren #foodinsecurity #CenterforaLivableFuture #RoniNeff
Photo above: School pantry sneak peak shows the interior of a school food pantry with shelves stocked with nonperishable food items. Photo provided by the authors. |
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Farming fragile ecosystems: Agriculture in the Congolese marshlands
Where livelihoods grow, ecosystems must be sustained. JAFSCD viewpoint by Arsene Mushagalusa Balasha (U of Lubumbashi) |
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Wetlands provide a wide range of ecosystem services that support ecological stability and the livelihoods of many communities. Their key roles in sequestering carbon and hosting fragile biodiversity make it urgent to rethink agricultural practices to balance food production with conservation. Without such action, essential wetland services risk being lost. Climate change pressures and rising food demand increase the need for proactive, informed decision-making to safeguard these ecosystems.
In a new JAFSCD viewpoint article, Farming fragile ecosystems: Rethinking agriculture in the Congolese marshlands for sustainable management and secure livelihoods, Arsene Balasha offers insights into marshland farmers’ perceptions of crop diversification and the economic empowerment of women marshland farmers. This contributes to the discussion on adapting farming practices to reduce environmental impacts on wetlands. His analysis draws on previous research and long-term observations of agricultural practices in marshlands around Bukavu, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Corresponding author Arsene Balasha can be contacted at mushagalusabalasha@unilu.ac.cd.
KEY FINDINGS
The various crops produced in the marshlands contribute to food security and the financial empowerment of women farmers. Systematic drainage and the use of highly hazardous pesticides threaten the sustainability of marshlands around Bukavu. Farmers are already using agroecological practices (such as mulch, organic matter, and crop diversification), but these need to be scaled up.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY AND PRACTICE Expand technical support for integrated rice-fish farming systems and the adoption of flood-tolerant crops and integrated pest management to enhance resilience in marshland agriculture.
Implement land zoning in marshes to designate areas for cultivation, conservation, water retention, and ecological buffer zones. Scale up agroecological practices.
Ensure farmers’ participation—especially women’s—in the development of wetland conservation policies, as successful implementation depends on the active involvement of local land users.
SHARE ON YOUR SOCIALS
In eastern DRC, marshlands feed families and support fragile biodiversity, but they are under threat from drainage and toxic pesticides. We need better support for flood-tolerant crops, integrated pest management, and smarter land use. Sustainable agriculture starts with informed, local voices. Can we grow food and protect our marshlands? Read the full @JAFSCD viewpoint article for free: https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2025.144.003
#agriculture #marshlands #climateresilience #landuse #DRC
Photo above: A flooded taro and maize plot in the Kiko marshland in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Photo by Arsene Mushagalusa Balasha, 2021. |
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JAFSCD SHAREHOLDER JOB OPPORTUNITY | |
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Position Opening: LEO Lecturer III
The College of Literature, Science, and the Arts and the School of Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) at the University of Michigan invites individuals to apply for the position of LEO Lecturer III to teach courses in the area of Sustainable Food Systems, as well as support the Program in the Environment (PitE) Food minor and Sustainable Food Systems Initiative. Applications are welcomed and encouraged regardless of background and identity.
Application deadline: September 27, 2025
Learn more here! |
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