Food SelectionSuperShelfNCT03421106
A Multilevel Intervention in the Hunger Relief Network to Improve Diet Among Adults Experiencing Food Insecurity
A study testing Intervention Food Pantries in people with Food Selection, run by University of Connecticut at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The investigator proposes an evaluation of a randomized, sustainable intervention in 8 intervention and 8 control pantries. We will enroll a sample clients at the food pantry at baseline and follow them for 1 year to assess changes in overall diet quality (the primary outcome) and cardiovascular health. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 99 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Food Selection
- What is being tested?
- Intervention Food Pantries
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 504 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 5 Feb 2018to 16 Nov 2020
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 99 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- -≥18 years old
- Mentally capable of consent and participation
- Speak English, Spanish, or Somali
- Have access to a phone
Who cannot join
- Not capable of consent or participation
- Speak only languages other than English, Spanish or Somali
- Not a food pantry user
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55414
About this study
The investigator proposes an evaluation of a randomized, sustainable intervention in 8 intervention and 8 control pantries. We will enroll a sample clients at the food pantry at baseline and follow them for 1 year to assess changes in overall diet quality (the primary outcome) and cardiovascular health. We will also enroll a sample of clients at follow-up to assess to assess the nutritional quality of food selected at the pantry.
Read the detailed description
Evaluate the health impact of an intervention targeting the hunger relief network and the clients with food insecurity it serves. The long-term goal of this work is to reduce nutrition-related health disparities by intervening on a system that serves individuals at high risk for chronic disease. In 2014, an estimated 14% of U.S. households experienced food insecurity (i.e., they lacked access to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members). Large numbers of low-income, racial/ethnic minority, and immigrant families who experience food insecurity rely on a hunger relief network that includes food banks and food pantries. Pantry clients have demonstrated poor nutritional outcomes, high chronic disease rates, and dissatisfaction with the quality and cultural-appropriateness of food offered. Unlike other food assistance programs, there are currently no standards on the nutritional quality of pantry offerings, but recent work by our study team demonstrated the need to improve the healthfulness of hunger relief network inventory. We proposed an evaluation of a randomized, sustainable intervention in 8 intervention and 8 control pantries. We will enroll clients at baseline and follow them for 1 year to assess changes in overall diet quality (the primary outcome). Working with our food bank partners, the intervention at the pantry level targets the supply of nutritious foods. At the client level, the intervention targets healthy food demand. Measured outcomes include overall diet quality (the primary outcome), as assessed by the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI), the nutritional quality of foods selected at the food shelf visit, and cardiovascular disease health (assessed by the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 scores). The study will also evaluate the impact of a multilevel intervention on the nutritional quality of pantry offerings. The study also aims to improve implementation of practices that promote a nutrition-focused hunger relief network.
- Conditions
- Food Selection
- Being tested
- Intervention Food Pantries, Control Food Pantries
- Keywords
- Food insecurity, Food pantries
- Medical subject headings
- Food Preferences
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Intervention Food PantriesBehavioural
Food pantries will receive consulting services to transform their food offerings and environment in order to influence client health behaviors.
Control Food PantriesOther
Normal food pantry use
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention Food Pantries | Experimental | Food pantries will transform to offer healthier and more appealing food ; the effect on clients will be measured. Receives: Behavioral: Intervention Food Pantries |
| Control Food Pantries | Active comparator | Food pantries will make no changes during the evaluation period; the effect on clients will be measured. Receives: Other: Control Food Pantries |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Overall Diet Quality of Clients
Assessed by Healthy Eating Index-2015 scores (scale 0-100), with 100 representing the best possible score (i.e., nutritional quality best aligned with Dietary Guidelines for Americans)
Measured: Baseline, 1 year
Secondary outcomes (2)
Nutritional Quality of Food Selected by Clients at the Food Pantry
Assessed by Healthy Eating Index-2015 scores (scale 0-100), with 100 representing the best possible score (i.e., nutritional quality best aligned with Dietary Guidelines for Americans)
Measured: 1 year post-sample comparison
Cardiovascular Health
American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 (LS7) scores (scale 0 -7), with 7 representing the best possible score for cardiovascular health
Measured: Baseline, 1 year
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted5 Feb 2018
- Study start5 Feb 2018
- Primary completion1 Sep 2019
- Study completion16 Nov 2020
Why it stopped: Data collection was halted prematurely due to COVID-19.
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Publications (2)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Food SelectionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 504 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Connecticut
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Caitlin Caspi, University of Connecticut
- Investigators
- Caitlin E Caspi, ScD, Principal investigator, University of Connecticut
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03421106
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- H20-0076
- Acronym
- SuperShelf
- Status last verified
- May 2022
- First submitted
- 29 Jan 2018
- Last updated
- 9 Feb 2023
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Publications
Pratt R, Barsness CB, Gordon N, Canterbury M, Peterson H, Caspi CE. Qualitative perspectives on the implementation of an intervention transforming food pantry environments. BMC Public Health. 2026 Jan 7;26(1):463. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-26036-2.
PubMed 41501671Caspi C, Gordon N, Bliss Barsness C, Bohen L, Canterbury M, Peterson H, Wolfson J, Pratt R. A randomized study of food pantry environment-level change following the SuperShelf intervention. Transl Behav Med. 2022 Jul 7;12(6):764-774. doi: 10.1093/tbm/ibac003.
PubMed 35666208
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 9 Feb 2023. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Multilevel Intervention in the Hunger Relief Network to Improve Diet Among Adults Experiencing Food Insecurity
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03421106
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- SuperShelf / H20-0076
- Conditions
- Food Selection
- Keywords
- Food insecurity, Food pantries
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- TerminatedReason stopped: Data collection was halted prematurely due to COVID-19.
- Enrolment
- 504 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of ConnecticutUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 5 Feb 2018 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Sep 2019 (actual)
- Study completion
- 16 Nov 2020 (actual)
- First posted
- 5 Feb 2018 (actual)
- Results
- Posted 9 Feb 2023
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The investigator proposes an evaluation of a randomized, sustainable intervention in 8 intervention and 8 control pantries. We will enroll a sample clients at the food pantry at baseline and follow them for 1 year to assess changes in overall diet quality (the primary outcome) and cardiovascular health. We will also enroll a sample of clients at follow-up to assess to assess the nutritional quality of food selected at the pantry.
Detailed description
Evaluate the health impact of an intervention targeting the hunger relief network and the clients with food insecurity it serves. The long-term goal of this work is to reduce nutrition-related health disparities by intervening on a system that serves individuals at high risk for chronic disease. In 2014, an estimated 14% of U.S. households experienced food insecurity (i.e., they lacked access to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members). Large numbers of low-income, racial/ethnic minority, and immigrant families who experience food insecurity rely on a hunger relief network that includes food banks and food pantries. Pantry clients have demonstrated poor nutritional outcomes, high chronic disease rates, and dissatisfaction with the quality and cultural-appropriateness of food offered. Unlike other food assistance programs, there are currently no standards on the nutritional quality of pantry offerings, but recent work by our study team demonstrated the need to improve the healthfulness of hunger relief network inventory. We proposed an evaluation of a randomized, sustainable intervention in 8 intervention and 8 control pantries. We will enroll clients at baseline and follow them for 1 year to assess changes in overall diet quality (the primary outcome). Working with our food bank partners, the intervention at the pantry level targets the supply of nutritious foods. At the client level, the intervention targets healthy food demand. Measured outcomes include overall diet quality (the primary outcome), as assessed by the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI), the nutritional quality of foods selected at the food shelf visit, and cardiovascular disease health (assessed by the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 scores). The study will also evaluate the impact of a multilevel intervention on the nutritional quality of pantry offerings. The study also aims to improve implementation of practices that promote a nutrition-focused hunger relief network.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention Food Pantries | Experimental | Behavioral: Intervention Food PantriesFood pantries will transform to offer healthier and more appealing food ; the effect on clients will be measured. |
| Control Food Pantries | Active comparator | Other: Control Food PantriesFood pantries will make no changes during the evaluation period; the effect on clients will be measured. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 99 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- -≥18 years old
- Mentally capable of consent and participation
- Speak English, Spanish, or Somali
- Have access to a phone
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Not capable of consent or participation
- Speak only languages other than English, Spanish or Somali
- Not a food pantry user
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention Food PantriesFood pantries will receive consulting services to transform their food offerings and environment in order to influence client health behaviors. | Behavioural | Intervention Food Pantries |
| Control Food PantriesNormal food pantry use | Other | Control Food Pantries |
Primary outcome
Overall Diet Quality of Clients
Time frame: Baseline, 1 year
Assessed by Healthy Eating Index-2015 scores (scale 0-100), with 100 representing the best possible score (i.e., nutritional quality best aligned with Dietary Guidelines for Americans)
2 secondary outcomes
Nutritional Quality of Food Selected by Clients at the Food Pantry
Time frame: 1 year post-sample comparison
Cardiovascular Health
Time frame: Baseline, 1 year
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 9 Feb 2023.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 41501671Pratt R, Barsness CB, Gordon N, Canterbury M, Peterson H, Caspi CE. Qualitative perspectives on the implementation of an intervention transforming food pantry environments. BMC Public Health. 2026 Jan 7;26(1):463. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-26036-2.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 35666208Caspi C, Gordon N, Bliss Barsness C, Bohen L, Canterbury M, Peterson H, Wolfson J, Pratt R. A randomized study of food pantry environment-level change following the SuperShelf intervention. Transl Behav Med. 2022 Jul 7;12(6):764-774. doi: 10.1093/tbm/ibac003.
Related trials for Food Selection
Not yet recruiting
Exploring the Influence of Glucagon-like Peptide -1 (GLP-1) Medications on Food Cravings, Food Selection, and Food Intake Following Exposure to Food Advertisements
GLP - 1
Recruiting
Influence of Social Media Ads on Food Choice - Master Protocol
Food Selection, Food Choices
Not yet recruiting
Optimization Trial to Empower sElection of Nutritious Foods
Food Insecurity, Healthy Eating
Not yet recruiting
Food Menu Labelling Effects on Individuals With Eating Disorders and Other Mental Health Conditions.
Food Labelling, Eating Behaviour
RecruitingObservational study
Fostering Self-Empowerment in CKD Patients Through Food Choice Mapping
CKD, Chronic Kidney Disease (Stages 3b-5)
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Caitlin E Caspi, ScD principal investigator
University of Connecticut
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Intervention Food Pantries in people with Food Selection, run by University of Connecticut at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: stopped early, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 Feb 2023. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 9 Feb 2023). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Overall Diet Quality of Clients (time frame: Baseline, 1 year). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03421106, which also lists 2 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 9 Feb 2023.