Comparing the Application of the Healthy Eating Index–2005 and the Healthy Eating Index–2010 in the Food Shelf Setting

A standardized measure of healthfulness of foods, like the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), is particularly important for hunger relief agencies as they serve at-risk clients. The objective of this study is to compare applications in the food shelf setting of the HEI-2005 and HEI-2010 and discuss discrepancies broadly and in the food shelf context. Invoices for foods ordered by 273 food shelves during 2013 were obtained from 2 large Minnesota food banks. Both HEI editions were calculated using the same set of foods. The average total HEI-2005 score (69.3) and the average total HEI-2010 score (62.6) were significantly different (P <.0001). Both food shelves’ total average score falls into the category “needs improvement.” Our findings have practical and research implications in food shelf settings and other environments.