Food insecurity is a prevalent and persistent issue that affects communities across Canada. Food banks are currently one of the most common responses to food insecurity in the country. Since they emerged in the 1980s, food banks have proliferated across Canada and the number of people accessing them has risen steeply. While food banks have faced criticisms in their capacity to address food insecurity, there have been shifts in how they operate over recent years. There are a growing number of examples of food banks that changed the types of food that they distribute and the programs and services that they offer on location. However, there is little evidence to explore the impact of shifting food bank operations. In a series of three studies, this dissertation explored operational characteristics and strategies of food banks, experiences with accessing food banks, and associations between food bank access and food insecurity, as well as related dietary and health outcomes. The first study employed a qualitative methodology to examine staff and volunteer perspectives on the strategies that food banks have adopted and adapted to address the needs of the people that they serve and the factors that enable or impede change. The findings illustrate current food banking practices and revealed examples of how food bank operations have changed over recent years to endeavor to better address the needs of the people who access their services. Moreover, the results illuminate food bank efforts to raise awareness and advocate for policy change to better address issues of poverty and food insecurity. The second study used qualitative data collected at two time points, six months apart, to explore experiences of food insecurity and food bank access among people who access them. While there was variation in the social and emotional experiences of accessing food banks, a common theme of long-term and regular access due to constrained financial resources arose in the data. The third study was a quantitative investigation of the associations between the operational characteristics of food banks and changes in food insecurity, diet, and health over a six month period. Results indicated that accessing a food bank that employed a choice model of food distribution was significantly associated with increased fruit and vegetable consumption over the study period. Accessing a food bank integrated within a community resource centre was significantly associated with reporting less severe food insecurity at six months compared to baseline. The findings presented in this dissertation offer novel evidence to elucidate the shifting operations of food banks and the associations between food banking operational characteristics and food insecurity over time. Moreover, these findings may inform decisions to change or adapt food banking operations to better address the needs of the people and communities served. Food banks, though they do not address the root causes of food insecurity, are established community resources, and thus, serve as strategic access points for not only short-term food assistance but also for connecting people with services and advocating for food security and poverty reduction.

Thesis advisor: Juliet Schor / This study aims to understand the prevalence and consequences of food insecurity among four-year undergraduate students at Boston College. It used an anonymous survey to collect data on students’ experiences making financial decisions about food and eating in the Fall of 2019. The final analytic sample consisted of 325 undergraduate students. The study found that roughly 13% of participants were characterized as experiencing food insecurity. Students who received high levels of financial aid and individuals who identified as first-generation college students were more likely to experience characteristics of food insecurity. Students experiencing food insecurity also reported a variety of social, emotional, behavioral, and academic consequences. This study finds that food insecurity is an issue at Boston College and suggests that faculty and administrators should urgently address students’ difficulties ensuring consistent access to food. / Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2020. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Departmental Honors. / Discipline: Sociology.

The aim of this study is to determine the use of the parables of the historical Jesus as transformative interpretive instruments of food shortage in urban townships. We will give much attention on the 12 theses critical reading of the parables espoused by Van Eck. In order to reach stated objectives, a sample of 360 township residents across the South Western Townships (Soweto) and Pretoria, comprising of teenagers, youth and adults were invited to participate in the study. Van Eck's methodology of the twelve theses as interpretative frameworks of the parables will be applied. In that regard the reading of ten parables by Van Eck will be undertaken. The ten parables to be covered will be the following: the parable of the Minas (Lk 19:12b-24, 27), the parable of the Sower (Mk 4:3b-8); the parable of Unmerciful Servant (Mt 18:23-33); the parable of the Mustard Seed (Lk 13:18-19); the parable of the Great Banquet (Lk 14:1b-23); parable of the Lost Sheep (Lk 15:4-6); the parable of the Richman and Lazarus (Lk 16:19-26); the parable of the Merchant (Mt 13:45-46); the parable of the Friend at Midnight (Lk 11:5-8) and the parable of the Tenants in the vineyard (Gospel of Thomas 65). We will apply specific parables in interpreting four major indicators that emerged in the study. The indicators covered the following issues: the impact of food shortage on self-respect, one's dignity, openness and good relations with others. To achieve the desired end we will use the following parables: the parable of the minas (Lk 19:12b-24, 27), the parable of the sower (Mk 4:3b-8); the parable of the merchant (Mt 13:45-46); and the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Lk 16:19-26). Each selected indicator will be interrogated by a singular parable. The remaining aspects of the results of food study will be interpreted by eight parables namely: the parable of unmerciful servant (Mt 18:23-33); the parable of the mustard seed (Lk 13:18-19); the parable of the great banquet (Lk 14:1b-23); parable of the lost sheep (Lk 15:4-6); the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Lk 16:19-26); the parable of the merchant (Mt 13:45-46); the parable of the friend at midnight (Lk 11:5-8) and the parable of the tenants in the vineyard (Gos. Thom. 65). We want to show that the given parables can serve as catalyst of transformation in the interpretation of the entire study of food insecurity in the townships. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / New Testament Studies / PhD / Unrestricted

While reducing food insecurity is a major health initiative, most studies and programs focus only on health-related outcomes and not on other types of hardships. This secondary data analysis of the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study examined the relationship between food insecurity and housing instability with social support, parental depression, and material hardship in vulnerable fathers. Using structural equation modeling on Wave 3 data, the final resulting model was X2 (4, N= 4898) = 3.72 at p = .444. For fathers, material hardship, depression, social support impact the relationship between food insecurity and housing instability. This research has implications for programs and services that may serve low income, single, or minority fathers and families to provide supports to improve food and house instabilities. Agencies and organizations should examine material hardship, not just health-related outcomes. They should provide services for mental health concerns as well as facilitate greater social support.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The thesis highlights the effectiveness of using location allocation model to find the optimum location of food pantries such that it serves maximum food insecure households. Since most households do not have personal means of transportation, the model makes sure that the food pantries are accessible at a walkable distance from the households. To reduce the shortage of food that the food pantries often face, the pantries are located near the food rescue sites like grocery stores, restaurants and institutional canteens. In this way, extra edible food with myriad choices can be diverted to the food insecure population at a walkable distance . Reducing food loss and food insecurity helps us move towards a better , more sustainable future.

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Mississippi leads the nation in chronic disease, obesity, poverty, and food insecurity. Preventing further growth in disease rates, requires a cultural shift towards a ‘healthy eating’ environment. Healthy patterns of food consumption along with physical activity can prevent and reduce these rates. A state-wide ‘healthy eating’ social marketing campaign could motivate voluntary population behavioral change. Three different methodologies were used to develop a strategy for Mississippi: a systematic review of the literature, a state-wide phone survey (quantitative), and focus groups (qualitative). A systematic review of articles published since January 2007 was conducted, using PRISMA guidelines. Five databases were searched with key terms. Past healthy eating campaigns in the US focused on children and parents as the target audiences and consumption of fruits and vegetables as the behavioral outcome. A web-based campaign from Oregon, was one of the successful models; in 2015, their website had over 125,000 monthly users. This campaign appeals to mothers as its primary audience and produces recipes that are tested and ‘kid-approved’; almost all the recipes include fruits and/or vegetables. The phone survey data was analyzed for participants who were responsible for children under the age of 18 in their homes. Values, attitudes, beliefs and barriers were analyzed using univariate frequencies. Chi Square tests were conducted to investigate the differences between demographic groups. The survey found that Mississippi SNAP-eligible and recipients have positive beliefs and attitudes towards ‘healthy eating.’ A majority (60%) agreed that cost was a barrier to ‘healthy eating’ while 35% thought that access to quality fruits and vegetables was lacking. Focus groups (n=17), from 12 counties were conducted with mothers, grandmothers, aunts who were caretakers of young children. Findings indicated participants had a broad range of perceptions and practices for ‘healthy eating.’ They were motivated to eat healthy for their personal health and for their children. Mothers and guardians are motivated to satisfy their children’s hunger, often a barrier to healthy eating. The findings indicate that time, convenience, and cost are also barriers. A consumer-oriented, culturally appropriate social marketing campaign in Mississippi should resonate with mothers and their need to satisfy their children.

ABSTRACT FOOD INSECURITY AND CULTURE- A STUDY OF CAMBODIAN AND BRAZILIAN IMMIGRANTS SEPTEMBER 2013 SARVNAZ MODARRESI GHAVAMI, B.S., IRAN UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES M.S., UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST Directed by: Jerusha Nelson Peterman Vulnerable immigrant populations such as refugees and undocumented immigrants are at higher risk for food insecurity and its health consequences than other low- income populations. Acculturation and adaptation of certain coping strategies, as well as certain characteristics, make these populations vulnerable to food insecurity. This thesis focuses on two of the understudied immigrant populations in Lowell, Massachusetts: Brazilian immigrants and Cambodian refugees and immigrants. To better understand food insecurity, acculturation, and coping strategies of these immigrant populations, we conducted a mixed-methods study with two Brazilian focus groups (n=16) and three Cambodian focus groups (n=21). We assessed 1) food security experiences, 2) the role of acculturation in the aspects of food security status, and 3) the role of coping strategies in the food insecurity and acculturation of these populations. Participants were similar with respect to age, income, length of stay in the U.S. across both Brazilian and Cambodian groups. Native language was the preferred language spoken at home. In quantitative survey analyses, Cambodians participants experienced higher rates of food insecurity compared to Brazilians (91% vs. 25%, p<0.001). Cambodians experienced greater food hardship in their home countries compared to the Brazilian immigrants (66.6% vs. 43.7%). Throughout the focus groups, Cambodians talked about a difficult food environment in which desired foods were not available or accessible to them. In contrast, the Brazilians seemed to enjoy a suitable food environment. Dietary acculturation was also evident in both groups. However, Cambodians expressed more indications of adapting to what they considered an American diet. Also, Cambodians seemed to engage in more risky strategies that could potentially exacerbate their food security status and health than Brazilians. These results suggest that some of the possible contributing factors to the higher rates of food insecurity in the Cambodian groups are their employment of risky coping strategies, as well as the difficult food environment. The difficult food environment along with their past food experience might have played a role in the greater dietary acculturation in the Cambodian groups.

Food culture has long been a fundamental part of the city; as a culturally cohesive urban infrastructure, food culture creates integral shared experiences and is a generator of socioeconomic opportunity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, existing systemic issues of racial segregation and isolation have exacerbated growing concerns of food insecurity within prominent minority neighborhoods of Boston, Massachusetts. The instability created by the lockdown and consequential work-life culture shift reinforces the importance of establishing and maintaining equitable and sustainable pathways of access to food resources and the socioeconomic opportunities food culture can create. To promote resilience in the post-COVID-19 lockdown city, urban environments will need to be reimagined to incorporate social and economic infrastructures that promote flexibility and maximize entrepreneurial equity, diversity, and opportunity. As a driving force of this equitable change in Jamaica Plain and the surrounding neighborhoods, this thesis proposes a new sustainable food system that is in tune with the regions storied ecological landscapes as well as the current need for mobility in post-COVID-19 urban life. To bridge the gap between historically fragmented regions of the urban fabric, this thesis will propose an infrastructural landmark designed to support the proliferation of food cultures, enhance housing, industrial, and ecological infrastructures, as well as bike and pedestrian mobility to restitch the greater urban fabric of the city of Boston. This thesis explores the reorganization of a range of modalities of urban food culture into a comprehensive food hub. The Food Hub and associated program will serve as an incubator of socioeconomic opportunity as well as operate as a system of sustainable production and distribution aimed at creating food sovereignty amongst members of the community. The resolution of these analyses will culminate in an architectonic framework for food culture programs that are primed to support the sustainable and equitable flow of resources, users, and ideas between disparate communities.

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