Table 1.

Questions used during food bank executive interviews (n 30) to identify internal strategies and community programatic initiatives to advance nutrition-focused food banking, The Foodbanking Research to Enhance the Spread of Healthy Foods (FRESH-Foods) Study, 2015-2017

Questions to elicit internal organizational strategies
• Within your food bank, who are the key people who advocate for fruit and vegetable distribution, if any?
○ Please think here of yourself and all of your stakeholders: growers, donors, Board of Directors, operations staff, programs staff, agency relations staff, development staff, agency volunteers, and clients
• Has your food bank done any fundraising around the issue of distribution of healthier foods or Foods to Encourage?
• Has your food bank ever discussed with a food donor a desire for healthier food products?
• Has your food bank ever considered implementing a guideline or adopting a standard practice on the nutritional quality of foods it distributes?
○ [If yes/guideline in place] Were there concerns raised, and if so what were they? Are there plans to revise the guideline or practice in the future?
• What is your food bank’s biggest strategic priority over the next 3-5 years?
Questions to elicit “best practice” or innovative program descriptions
• Can you share a best practice of how your food bank is currently distributing produce or healthier food?
○ What are key barriers you have had to overcome and how did you do it? What is working best?
• What do you think food banking will look like in 10 years?