Ingredient bundles and recipe tastings in food pantries: a pilot study to increase the selection of healthy foods

Abstract Objective The present study examined the effect of ingredient bundles (i.e. measured ingredients with recipes) and recipe tastings as a strategy to increase the selection of healthy, target foods (kale, brown rice and whole-wheat pasta). Design Each of the three conditions was tested once per week for three weeks. The conditions were: Treatment 1 (T1), recipe tastings only; Treatment 2 (T2), ingredient bundle plus recipe tastings; and Control, no intervention. Setting A food pantry in Bridgeport, CT, USA. Participants Food pantry clients. Results Controlling for family size and intervention week, the likelihood of clients in T2 (n 160) selecting at least one target item compared with the Control group (n 160) was 3·20 times higher for kale, 4·76 times higher for brown rice and 7·25 times higher for whole-wheat pasta. Compared with T1 (n 128), T2 clients were 2·67 times more likely to select kale, 7·67 times more likely to select brown rice and 11·43 times more likely to select whole-wheat pasta. No differences between T1 and the Control group were found. Conclusions Findings suggest that innovative, nudging strategies such as ingredient bundles may increase appeal of foods and encourage pantry clients to select healthier options.