Coping strategies and nutrition education needs among food pantry users.

In response to unexpectedly high rates of household food insecurity in Washington State, focus groups were conducted with food pantry users in nine locations across the state to explore access and barriers to food, strategies for coping with food insecurity, and nutrition education needs. All respondents had children and spoke English. Participants reported household food insecurity and concerns about feeding children and getting through the month. Stretching food dollars was the most requested topic for nutrition education. Nutrition educators need to be responsive to people's educational needs and the emotional demands associated with food insecurity at the program and community levels.