Feeding the gap: A comprehensive bibliometric review of food bank research

This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the food bank literature, highlighting the role of food banks in addressing the global challenges of food insecurity and waste. Food banks operate at the nexus of waste reduction and hunger alleviation, collecting excess food and distributing it through a network of charities to communities in need. This study traces the scholarly evolution of food banks, highlighting key trends, contributors, and thematic clusters from 1997 to 2022. Bibliometric mapping tools are used to examine the dynamic research landscape and identify influential authors, journals, and the geographical spread of contributions. The analysis reveals a significant increase in research output post-2015, correlating with the global agenda towards Sustainable Development Goals. The United States and Canada have emerged as leading contributors, with the research network indicating robust international collaborations. Thematic analyses through keyword co-occurrence, co-citation, and bibliographic coupling uncover the multidisciplinary nature of food bank studies, encompassing public health, social policy, and environmental sustainability. Key findings from cocitation and bibliographic coupling analyses indicate a shift towards a holistic understanding of food banks' roles within societal and policy frameworks, emphasizing health outcomes, operational strategies for managing food waste, and the sociopolitical impacts of austerity measures. This paper underscores the importance of continued interdisciplinary research and innovative policy formulations to ensure that food banks effectively address the complex dynamics of food insecurity. Despite its limitations, this study offers a robust foundation for future exploration in this field, providing support for broader inclusivity and diversity in research.