Introduction:

Each year, the number of economically disadvantaged users who are chronically dependent on food bank donations is considerably increasing in high-income countries. Given that the availability and quality of the food donated will affect their health status, the project has been proposed to assess the nutritional quality of foods requested by social support organisations in Madrid Region.

Methodology:

A field survey was carried out, where 69 social support organisations requesting foods were identified in Madrid Region, among which 23 provided responded to a questionnaire on the food required, as well as on specific indications and recommendations. Collected data were integrated in a database.

Results:

The most requested foods by the organisations in descending order were: milk, canned fish, canned pulses and vegetables, biscuits, soluble cocoa, olive oil, canned meat, sugar, pasta and infant milks. Many organisations indicated that breakfast and afternoon snacks should be milk, muffins, biscuits, pastries, cocoa cream and juices. The main reason for requesting non-perishable food was due to the lack of appropriate facilities.

Conclusions:

The high percentage of unhealthy food requested by the different social support associations in Madrid does not favour food security or meet the nutritional needs of the users who depend on them as a primary source. In the case of breakfast and snacks, a wrong image is conveyed as to what should be the recommended option for a child.

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