Healthy Pantry Certification Program

Improving knowledge among network partners in understanding how healthy and unhealthy food affects individuals living with food insecurity is the goal of the Healthy Pantry Certification Program. The program also seeks to increase pantries’ capacity to provide additional access to fresh fruits and vegetables and create a food pantry environment that encourages nutritious consumption in support of healthy lifestyles.

Nutritional nudges and environmental cues are used to help influence the decisions individuals make about their food, including encouraging consumers to select healthier food choices such as fruit, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and low-fat dairy. The Regional Food Bank is partnering with the Oklahoma Nutrition Information and Education (ONIE) Project to collaborate on the design and application of recipes and nutrition education resources that accompany healthy food items commonly available in food pantries.

Special thanks to Blue Cross Blue Shield Oklahoma for initial and ongoing support for the Healthy Pantry Certification Program.