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Utilization of Informal Food Support Among Low-Income Households: Application of Andersen’s Service Use Model

Households on public assistance often turn to informal food support, such as food pantries, home delivery food programs, and soup kitchens, to cushion their consumption needs. Despite its important role in addressing food insecurity among low-income households, research examining determinants of informal food support use remains scarce. Guided by Andersen’s health service use model, this study aims to identify the predisposing, enabling, and need factors of informal food support use among low-income households. Results indicated that predisposing factors of informal food support use include education, age, and race. Enabling factors include Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipiency, employment status, and household income. Food security status is a significant need factor of informal food support use. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.