Food access, mobility, and transportation: a survey and key informant interviews of users of non-profit food hubs in the City of Vancouver before and during the COVID-19 crisis

Daniel Rajasooriar,Tammara Soma

doi:10.1186/s12889-021-12434-9

Daniel Rajasooriar, Tammara Soma

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-12434-9

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Abstract

BackgroundIn the City of Vancouver, Canada, non-profit food hubs such as food banks, neighbourhood houses, community centres, and soup kitchens serve communities that face food insecurity. Food that is available yet inaccessible cannot ensure urban food security. This study seeks to highlight food access challenges, especially in terms of mobility and transportation, faced by users of non-profit food hubs in the City of Vancouver before and during the COVID-19 crisis.MethodsThis study involved an online survey (n = 84) and semi-structured follow-up key informant interviews (n = 10) with individuals at least 19 years old who accessed food at a non-profit food hub located in the City of Vancouver more than once before and during the COVID-19 crisis.Results88.5% of survey respondents found food obtained from non-profit food hubs to be either very or somewhat important to their household’s overall diet. In their journey to access food at non-profit food hubs in the City of Vancouver, many survey respondents face barriers such as transportation distance/time, transportation inconveniences/reliability/accessibility, transportation costs, line-ups at non-profit food hubs, and schedules of non-profit food hubs. Comments from interview participants corroborate these barriers.ConclusionsDrawing from the findings, this study recommends that non-profit food hubs maintain a food delivery option and that the local transportation authority provides convenient and reliable paratransit service. Furthermore, this study recommends that the provincial government considers subsidizing transit passes for low-income households, that the provincial and/or federal governments consider bolstering existing government assistance programs, and that the federal government considers implementing a universal basic income. This study emphasizes how the current two-tier food system perpetuates stigma and harms the well-being of marginalized populations in the City of Vancouver in their journey to obtain food.

Highlights

In the City of Vancouver, Canada, non-profit food hubs such as food banks, neighbourhood houses, community centres, and soup kitchens serve communities that face food insecurity
This study focuses on the subset of food assets that come under the umbrella term of non-profit food hubs in the City of Vancouver, Canada
Drawing from an online survey (n = 84) and semi-structured follow-up key informant interviews (n = 10), this study evaluates access to food at non-profit food hubs in the City of Vancouver before and during the COVID-19 crisis, especially as it relates to mobility and access to transportation

Summary

Introduction

In the City of Vancouver, Canada, non-profit food hubs such as food banks, neighbourhood houses, community centres, and soup kitchens serve communities that face food insecurity. This study seeks to highlight food access challenges, especially in terms of mobility and transportation, faced by users of non-profit food hubs in the City of Vancouver before and during the COVID-19 crisis. Despite attempts to end hunger and achieve food security, there is a growing number of people affected by food insecurity. 2 billion people were affected by moderate or severe food insecurity in 2019, up from 1.9 billion in 2014 [2]. In Canada, 4.4 million people were living in a household affected by marginal, moderate, or severe food insecurity in 2017–2018, up from 3.9 million in 2011–2012 [3, 4]. During the COVID-19 crisis, 14.6% of Canadians were living in a household where there was moderate or severe food insecurity during April–May 2020, up from 10.5% during 2017–2018 [5]

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