Assessing Culturally Appropriate Food Choices: A Need for Hispanic Specific Food Choices as Illustrated by GIS Mapping

Abstract

ObjectiveFood for Thought is a mobile food pantry located in Toledo, Ohio that hosts 24 mobile food pantries in the Toledo metropolitan statistical area. Toledo has several areas with higher population of Hispanic individuals. The purpose of this project was to use GIS (Geographical Information System) mapping of Toledo food deserts that have high percentage of Hispanic populations so that Food for Thought can ensure the pantries in these areas offer Hispanic culturally appropriate food and recipes.Design, Setting and ParticipantsTo determine the distribution of Hispanic populations that utilize Food for Thought mobile sites.Outcome Measures and AnalysisArcGIS was utilized to map U.S. Census Bureau demographic data of Toledo, Ohio to compare with the USDA defined food deserts. The resulting maps defined the portions of the city with the highest concentration of Hispanic individuals who may be experiencing food insecurity.ResultsThe maps illustrated concentrations of Hispanic individuals who reside in food deserts. The demographic information showed these areas to be low-income, with several of the areas having low automobile access. Because these individuals are residing in areas that are classified as a food desert, have low median income, and often low automobile access these individuals may be experiencing food insecurity.Conclusions and ImplicationsVisualizing the concentration of Hispanic populations with respect to food deserts illustrates the need for culturally acceptable food choices and recipes within those areas. Currently, there are no Hispanic specific food banks in these areas. GIS mapping is a useful tool to help guide Food for Thought to ensure that the foods provided are culturally appropriate.FundingNone. ObjectiveFood for Thought is a mobile food pantry located in Toledo, Ohio that hosts 24 mobile food pantries in the Toledo metropolitan statistical area. Toledo has several areas with higher population of Hispanic individuals. The purpose of this project was to use GIS (Geographical Information System) mapping of Toledo food deserts that have high percentage of Hispanic populations so that Food for Thought can ensure the pantries in these areas offer Hispanic culturally appropriate food and recipes. Food for Thought is a mobile food pantry located in Toledo, Ohio that hosts 24 mobile food pantries in the Toledo metropolitan statistical area. Toledo has several areas with higher population of Hispanic individuals. The purpose of this project was to use GIS (Geographical Information System) mapping of Toledo food deserts that have high percentage of Hispanic populations so that Food for Thought can ensure the pantries in these areas offer Hispanic culturally appropriate food and recipes. Design, Setting and ParticipantsTo determine the distribution of Hispanic populations that utilize Food for Thought mobile sites. To determine the distribution of Hispanic populations that utilize Food for Thought mobile sites. Outcome Measures and AnalysisArcGIS was utilized to map U.S. Census Bureau demographic data of Toledo, Ohio to compare with the USDA defined food deserts. The resulting maps defined the portions of the city with the highest concentration of Hispanic individuals who may be experiencing food insecurity. ArcGIS was utilized to map U.S. Census Bureau demographic data of Toledo, Ohio to compare with the USDA defined food deserts. The resulting maps defined the portions of the city with the highest concentration of Hispanic individuals who may be experiencing food insecurity. ResultsThe maps illustrated concentrations of Hispanic individuals who reside in food deserts. The demographic information showed these areas to be low-income, with several of the areas having low automobile access. Because these individuals are residing in areas that are classified as a food desert, have low median income, and often low automobile access these individuals may be experiencing food insecurity. The maps illustrated concentrations of Hispanic individuals who reside in food deserts. The demographic information showed these areas to be low-income, with several of the areas having low automobile access. Because these individuals are residing in areas that are classified as a food desert, have low median income, and often low automobile access these individuals may be experiencing food insecurity. Conclusions and ImplicationsVisualizing the concentration of Hispanic populations with respect to food deserts illustrates the need for culturally acceptable food choices and recipes within those areas. Currently, there are no Hispanic specific food banks in these areas. GIS mapping is a useful tool to help guide Food for Thought to ensure that the foods provided are culturally appropriate. Visualizing the concentration of Hispanic populations with respect to food deserts illustrates the need for culturally acceptable food choices and recipes within those areas. Currently, there are no Hispanic specific food banks in these areas. GIS mapping is a useful tool to help guide Food for Thought to ensure that the foods provided are culturally appropriate.