scholarly journals The acorn squash problem: a digestible conceptualisation of barriers to emergency food assistance

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
John C Jones ◽  
Joanne Christaldi ◽  
Diana Cuy Castellanos
Keyword(s):  
Food Systems ◽  
Food Assistance ◽  
Canned Food ◽  
Food Pantry ◽  
Economic Barriers ◽  
Emergency Food Assistance ◽  
Lima Beans

Abstract Background: In common narratives of emergency food assistance, donors likely believe their efforts directly manifest as people consuming their donated food. For example, a person donating canned lima beans during a canned food drive may visualise someone eventually eating those lima beans. However, cultural and socio-economic barriers often exist that prevent people from accessing and consuming the donated food. These barriers are often complex and otherwise well-intentioned donors, volunteers and organisations may not initially consider them. Method: This commentary article, which draws from existing US emergency food systems literature, uses the imagery of an acorn squash one might find at a US food pantry to conceptualise these barriers in a straightforward way. Results: Examining emergency food assistance through the lens of the acorn squash problem can help donors, volunteers and organisations better connect with food-insecure people. The lens of the acorn squash problem also allows for deeper critiques of some practices of emergency food systems.

Linking SNAP to Food Security: Exploring Reinstating a Purchase Requirement and Tying Benefits to the Low-Cost Food Plan

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Beth Osborne Daponte
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
The United States ◽  
Food Assistance ◽  
Food Banks ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Food Pantries ◽  
Structural Risk ◽  
Emergency Food Assistance ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

AbstractThe United States has a food assistance structure that, by design, does not assure that households receiving food assistance will be food secure, is deeply inefficient, and is at financial and structural risk. The two most common forms of food assistance used today are Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly the Food Stamp Program) and charitable food assistance in the form of groceries (provided through a network of food banks, food pantries, and other related programs). Approximately 43 million persons participate in SNAP and nearly one-third of them also rely on a food pantry for groceries. The use of charitable food assistance by persons relying on SNAP demonstrates that SNAP’s benefit level and structure does not sufficiently result in food security. The article argues that reinstating a purchase requirement for SNAP and increasing the level of benefits provided to SNAP participants would increase the food security of participants, alleviate the chronic demand for food from food banks and food pantries, and ultimately allow the charitable food assistance network to better accomplish its goal of providing emergency food assistance to the needy.

Digital Strategies to Improve Food Assistance in Disasters: A Scoping Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Nina M. Martin ◽  
Samantha M. Sundermeir ◽  
Daniel J. Barnett ◽  
Ellen J. I. van Dongen ◽  
Lori Rosman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Internet Of Things ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Situational Awareness ◽  
Food Assistance ◽  
Data Types ◽  
Client Choice ◽  
Scoping Literature Review ◽  
Emergency Food Assistance ◽  
Collection And Management

Abstract Objective: Modern digital strategies, including Internet of Things, machine learning, and mobile applications, have revolutionized situational awareness during disaster management. Despite their importance, no review of digital strategies to support emergency food security efforts has been conducted. This scoping review fills that gap. Methods: Keywords were defined within the concepts of food assistance, digital technology, and disasters. After the database searches, PRISMA guidelines were followed to perform a partnered, 2-round scoping literature review. Results: The search identified 3201 articles, and 26 articles met criteria and were included in the analysis. The data types used to describe the tools were text/opinion (42.3%), qualitative (23.1%), system architecture (19.2%), quantitative and qualitative (11.5 %), and quantitative (3.8%). The tools’ main functions were Resource Allocation (41.7%), Data Collection and Management (33%), Interagency Communications (15.4 %), Beneficiary Communications (11.5%), and Fundraising (7.7%). The platforms used to achieve these goals were Mobile Application (36%), Internet of Things (20%), Website (20%), and Mobile Survey (8%); 92% covered the disaster response phase. Conclusions: Digital tools for planning, situational awareness, client choice, and recovery are needed to support emergency food assistance, but there is a lack of these tools and research on their effectiveness across all disaster phases.

scholarly journals Impacts of place and social spaces on traditional food systems in southwestern Ontario

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah T. Neufeld ◽  
Chantelle A. M. Richmond ◽  
Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre
Keyword(s):  
Food Systems ◽  
First Nation ◽  
Indigenous Populations ◽  
Dietary Quality ◽  
Traditional Food ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Traditional Foods ◽  
Urban Mothers ◽  
Economic Barriers ◽  
City Of London

<p>Processes of environmental dispossession have had dramatic consequences for dietary quality, cultural identity, and the integrity of traditional food systems (TFS) in many Indigenous populations. These transitions have not been documented among First Nation people in southwestern Ontario, and virtually no studies have investigated TFS in southern or urban regions of Canada. Nested within a larger community-centred project designed to better understand the social and spatial determinants of food choice and patterns of food security, the objective of this paper was to explore First Nation mothers’ knowledge about access, availability, and practices relating to traditional foods in the city of London, Ontario, and nearby First Nation reserves. In 2010, twenty-five women participated in semi-structured interviews that were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed with input from community partners. Our results centre on the women’s stories about access, preferences, knowledge, and sharing of traditional foods. Those living on a reserve relied more consistently on traditional foods, as proximity to land, family, and knowledge permitted improved access. Urban mothers faced transportation and economic barriers alongside knowledge loss related to the use and preparation of traditional foods. Overall our results demonstrate uneven geographic challenges for First Nation engagement in TFS, with urban mothers experiencing uniquely greater challenges than those residing on a reserve.</p>

scholarly journals Sexual orientation disparities in food insecurity and food assistance resource use in U.S. adult women: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005-2014

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne G Patterson ◽  
Jennifer Russomanno ◽  
Jennifer M Jabson Tree
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Resource Use ◽  
Food Assistance ◽  
Sex Behavior ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Sexual Minority Women ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
Heterosexual Women ◽  
Emergency Food Assistance

Abstract Background. Nearly 40 million American adults report past year food insecurity. This is concerning, as food insecurity is associated with chronic disease morbidity and premature mortality. Women disproportionately experience food insecurity, and sexual minority women (i.e., lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual women reporting same-sex behavior) may be at greater risk for experiencing food insecurity disparities. The purpose of this study was to investigate patterns and prevalence of food insecurity and food assistance resource use in sexual minority and exclusively heterosexual women using population-level health surveillance data. Methods. We pooled 2004-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. Women were classified by sexual identity and lifetime same-sex behavior to create subgroups of lesbian, bisexual, heterosexual women reporting same-sex behavior (heterosexual WSW), and exclusively heterosexual women. We compared groups on past 12-month food insecurity, severe food insecurity, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and emergency food assistance resource use using multivariable Poisson regression models to estimate weighted prevalence ratios. Results. Lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual WSW were more likely to report past 12-month food insecurity and severe food insecurity than exclusively heterosexual women: prevalence ratios (PR) ranged from 1.37 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.07,1.75) to 1.77 (95% CI = 1.08-2.91). No differences were found in SNAP participation by sexual orientation, but more lesbians and heterosexual WSW reported using emergency food assistance in the past 12-months (PR = 1.96; 95% CI = 1.34, 2.88 and PR = 1.47; 95% CI = 1.05, 2.06 respectively). Conclusions. Food insecurity—including disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake—is overrepresented in sexual minority women. Lesbians and heterosexual WSW are also more likely to rely on emergency food assistance. This is problematic as SNAP use may reduce food insecurity over time, but emergency food resources (e.g., food pantries) do not. More evidence is needed to understand the multilevel factors driving food insecurity in this population, with to develop policy and community-based efforts to increase SNAP participation and decrease food insecurity.

Conflict and COVID worsen Sahel food insecurity

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
European Union ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Food Assistance ◽  
Armed Groups ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rapid Economic Growth ◽  
Emergency Food Assistance

Significance Much of Mauritania and Chad are food stressed as well. European Union estimates, counting the five Sahelian countries as well as Nigeria and Cameroon, put the number of people needing emergency food assistance this year at 23.4 million. Impacts The region’s economies are projected to resume relatively rapid economic growth this year after recessions or near-recessions in 2020. The benefits of restored economic growth will be very unevenly shared. Armed groups' efforts to extort money from stressed populations could prompt resistance, retaliatory violence and further displacement.

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