NTFB is Listening and Learning from Our Neighbors

February 17, 2025 | ,

North Texas Food Bank is using the results of a recent Feeding America Client Survey as it works to better serve the community.

By Natalie Markham, NTFB Strategic Initiatives Manager

With the support of a Starbucks Equitable Food Access Grant, the North Texas Food Bank recently conducted a Feeding America Client Survey of more than 660 neighbors visiting 23 partner pantries across our service area.

Overall, we learned that neighbors are satisfied with the foods available as 76% reported they were “often” or “always” able to get foods they recognized and want to eat. Additionally, 79% said they were “often” or “always” able to get foods that meet their health needs.

However, we are always working to improve. Here’s a look at what we heard and what we’re doing in response to the survey results.

We heard that neighbors are facing tough economic choices. Survey participants reported they often must choose between buying groceries or paying for other critical needs, such as medical care, housing or transportation.

What we are doing:

  • NTFB recognizes the link between hunger, health, and financial security. We support partners in offering holistic services beyond food, like job training, financial coaching, or healthcare. Through our grant program, we help agencies expand holistic supports, empowering them to better address neighbors’ needs.
  • Advocacy drives meaningful change. NTFB promotes policies at all levels to close the hunger gap and support neighbors. Surveys like this one provide valuable insights, enabling us to share your experiences with lawmakers and strengthen our efforts to create impactful, informed policies.
  • Did you know? Several of NTFB’s partners offer services to support neighbors. For example, neighbors can access primary care and more at Jewish Family Services of Dallas’ Northpoint Health Center. Call 469-780-4590 to learn more.

We heard that your health is important to you. For the second consecutive year, neighbors emphasized the importance of their personal health, that they often encounter challenges when managing their health, and that access to produce is importance.

What we are doing:

  • NTFB is improving access to healthcare and nutritious food through its FoodRx program, partnering with healthcare organizations to provide patients facing hunger with regular access to fresh produce.
  • NTFB is committed to increasing produce access for our neighbors. In the last fiscal year, we distributed a record 44 million pounds of produce.
  • NTFB works with partners to offer preventative health services alongside nutritious food to support neighbor health. For example, the American Heart Association placed a blood pressure monitor at Local Good Center, a partner pantry in Plano.
  • Did you know? You can access healthy cooking videos, recipes, and other resources at ntfb.org/nutrition-services.

We heard that participants want to know more about access to food. Survey participants said easily accessible information about food resources—both where to get free groceries and how SNAP can help—would allow them to better support their family’s nutrition. They indicated they prefer to hear about resources from friends and family or via social media.

What we are doing:

  • NTFB recently launched an improved “Find Food” feature on ntfb.org that will make it easier to locate pantries you can visit for free groceries and to identify pantries where NTFB staff are on-site providing application assistance for SNAP and other benefit programs.
  • We will continue to share information on social media and the NTFB app, and we are working to equip more partner pantries to share updates on social media. We also need your help! Please tell your friends and family that NTFB and its partners are here to help.
  • Knowing our neighbors speak a variety of languages, NTFB invested in a major translation effort over the last year to ensure information is available in multiple languages.
  • NTFB attends events throughout the community and works with schools to spread the word about our services.
  • NTFB also launched a campaign with DART to increase awareness about SNAP, which can provide neighbors with nine meals for every one that the NTFB can provide.
  • NTFB will continue partnering with pantries and with organizations where you may be visiting for other services, including WIC clinics and Medicaid providers, so that it is convenient for you to access food and receive SNAP application assistance.
  • Did you know? NTFB is here to help! Visit ntfb.org/find-a-food-pantry to locate a pantry near you. For assistance applying for SNAP, visit ntfb.org/snap-information or email snap@ntfb.org.

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