Charitable and Community Food Access in Greater Victoria: Understanding the Lived Experience of Mothers and Caregivers
Date
2022-07-18
Authors
Strom Trudel, Katherine
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Abstract
Food insecurity affects 9.6% of Canadians, meaning that individuals and families are unable to access or consume a sufficient or adequate diet quality in socially acceptable ways. Previous research has shown that in Canada, mothers and caregivers are more likely to experience food insecurity, which has negative effects on mental and physical health outcomes, social positionality, and wellbeing for them and their families. As a response to increasing food insecurity in the global North, food access services have been emerging since the 1980s in attempts to remediate the experience of food insecurity; however, there has been debate surrounding the efficacy of food access services. This research analyzes the experience of mothers and caregivers with dependents in Victoria BC who use food access services, including food banks, community food models, or food hamper services. This research argues that food access services can be improved by adopting a community-focused right to food approach in Greater Victoria to further assist mothers and caregivers in need. From the interview data of five participants, results showed that three main themes emerged with regards to experience with food insecurity in Victoria, and 15 suggestions were provided for food access organizations based on results.
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Keywords
Food insecurity, Mothers, Charitable food model, Food justice, Food sovereignty