Abstract
Families with low incomes face barriers to preparing healthy meals, including decreased food access and limited time, and may turn to fast, low-quality, and inexpensive foods. Affordable and accessible meal kits may reduce these barriers. The objective of this study was to explore the cooking, eating, and shopping behaviors of African American (AA) and Hispanic participants living in the United States with low incomes and determine the knowledge of and preferences for a culturally appropriate meal kit intervention. Trained researchers conducted focus groups using a semi-structured questionnaire with AA and Hispanic food preparers with low incomes. Participant cooking, eating, and shopping behaviors and knowledge of and preferences for a culturally appropriate meal kit intervention were evaluated using thematic analysis. AA participants (n = 16) reported cooking on average 2 to 3 days per week and more often on weekends. Hispanic participants (n = 15) reported cooking 5 days per week and more often during the week. Both groups identified cost as the number one consideration when shopping. Most were unfamiliar with meal kits but indicated they would try an affordable meal kit. AA and Hispanic participants differed in their cooking, eating, and shopping behaviors but were equally interested in trying meal kits if affordable and culturally appropriate.
Highlights
Individuals who live in poverty, or those with incomes at or less than 185% of the federal poverty line, face multiple barriers to healthy eating, including food insecurity [1].According to the most recent United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) data, an estimated 10.5% of U.S households face food insecurity [1]
Results from this study show that both AA and Hispanic families prioritize cooking and eating together as a family but may encounter barriers such as cost and time
Meal kits are an innovative way to address these barriers but were a new concept for these participants. Both groups may benefit from utilizing meal kits as a way to quickly and conveniently eat more healthful dinners at home
Summary
Individuals who live in poverty, or those with incomes at or less than 185% of the federal poverty line, face multiple barriers to healthy eating, including food insecurity [1]. The USDA defines food insecurity as a reduction in the quality, variety, or desirability of a diet or a disrupted eating pattern and reduced food intake [1]. Those with the highest prevalence of food insecurity include African American (AA) and Hispanic individuals [2]. Food insecurity negatively affects diet quality, leading to health problems, including overweight and obesity, diabetes, and heart disease [3,4]. A systematic review assessing the relationship between food security and dietary quality found that adults with food insecurity consume fewer fruits, vegetables, and dairy foods compared to adults without food insecurity [5]
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