Food Acquisition, Availability, and Allocation in Urban Alaska

Gender Comparison of the Diet Quality and Sources of Food Purchases Made by Urban Primary Household Food Purchasers

The aim of this study was to determine the food sources and acquisition practices used by homeless youth in Adelaide. This work is part of a larger study that aimed to examine the extent and nature of food insecurity among homeless youth. Cross-sectional design involving quantitative and qualitative methods. Four health and welfare inner-city agencies serving homeless youth in Adelaide, South Australia. A sample of 150 homeless youth aged between 15 and 24 years recruited from these agencies. Fifteen were selected via snowball sampling for interview. Use of welfare food sources was high (63%). Food from welfare agencies was supplemented by unorthodox food acquisition methods such as theft (65%), begging for money for food (61%), begging for food items (44%) and asking for help from friends and relatives (34%). Reasons given for non-usage of welfare food services included affordability, access, being too busy, shame or embarrassment. Food insecurity is a salient issue for some homeless youth in Adelaide. Clarifying food acquisition practices of food-insecure homeless youth is essential for rational planning and improvement of food-related services to meet their needs. Such an understanding also underpins the development of broader public policy responses that improve individual and household skills and resources to acquire food and ensure food security. Nutrition professionals, welfare professionals and policy-makers need to work sensitively with welfare food agencies and others to improve food access and food security for homeless youth.

PROTOCOL: Impact of the food environment on diet-related health outcomes in school-age children and adolescents in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review.

The influence of the food environment and socio-ecological determinants on early childhood dietary intake: A mixed methods exploration

ObjectiveThis study evaluates the Grocery Purchase Quality Index‐2016 (GPQI‐2016), a new tool developed at the University of Utah for assessing household grocery food purchase quality. We used the Healthy Eating Index‐2010 (HEI‐2010), a well‐validated assessment method, as the reference standard. Instead of using amounts of foods or nutrients, the GPQI‐2016 is based on the expenditure shares for the 29 food categories found in the USDA Food Plans. It includes the eight food‐based adequacy components (Total Vegetables, Greens and Beans, Total Fruit, Whole Fruit, Whole Grains, Dairy, Total Protein Foods, and Seafood and Plant Proteins) and one food‐based moderation component of the HEI‐2010 (Refined Grains), plus additional moderation components for Added Sugars and Processed Meats. Components of the HEI‐2010 not included in the GPQI‐2016 are Fatty Acids, Sodium, and Empty Calories.MethodsIn 2012–13 the USDA Economic Research Service (USDA‐ERS) conducted the National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (FoodAPS). Household members recorded all foods purchased for a week‐‐both foods purchased at stores for at‐home use (“foods at home” (FAH)) and foods obtained and eaten away from home. FoodAPS includes information on prices paid for each food item in a purchasing event or transaction. We mapped the USDA‐ERS food group classifications, provided in the survey database, to the 29 food categories used in USDA Food Plan market baskets so that the expenditure shares could be estimated. The 8‐digit USDA food codes, provided in the survey database, were used to calculate the HEI‐2010. After scoring FAH purchases by participating households (n=4,134), using each assessment method, the weighted Pearson's r coefficient was used to compare the total GPQI‐2016 scores with the total HEI‐2010 scores. The correlations for the nine food‐based components used in both indexes were also estimated.ResultsThe weighted Pearson's correlation coefficient for the Total HEI‐2010 and the total GPQI‐2016 scores was 0.61 (p < 0.01). The strength of the correlations between the HEI‐2010 and the GPQI‐2016 components varied (p < 0.01 for all). The strongest associations were found for three of the adequacy components, Whole Grains (0.77) and Total and Whole Fruit (both 0.75); while for the others, associations were more moderate, ranging from 0.42 for Total Protein Foods to 0.58 for Total Vegetables. For Refined Grains, a moderation component, the correlation was 0.45.ConclusionsOverall, the association of the GPQI‐2016 and the HEI‐2010 was moderate, and it varied by component. The process used to map the FoodAPS data to the USDA Food Plan categories could be refined by mapping at the food item level rather than at the food group level and may result in higher correlations in future versions of the GPQI.Support or Funding InformationNIH grant T15‐LM007124, the Western Regional Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Center of Excellence (USDA‐NIFA‐OP‐004574), and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (2015‐09151)

This scoping review aims to identify and map characteristics of food environments that influence food acquisition practices and dietary intake of women of reproductive age in low- and middle-income countries. Due to the disproportionate burden of malnutrition on women of reproductive age in low- and middle-income countries, accelerated progress in improving women's nutrition is required to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2 "Zero hunger" by 2030. Food environments are increasingly recognized as the key interface between consumers and food systems; however, little is known about the characteristics that influence women's food acquisition and diets in low- and middle-income countries, especially during physiological stages of heightened nutritional requirement, such as pre-conception, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. This review will consider quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods, or review studies that report on the influence of food environment characteristics on food acquisition practices and dietary intake of women aged 15 to 49 years in any low- or middle-income country, as defined by the World Bank in 2021. Twenty-one databases across EBSCO, Web of Science Core Collection, and PubMed platforms will be searched. Screening, selection, and data extraction will be performed in duplicate by 2 members of the team, with any discrepancies resolved by group discussion. The patterns of food acquisition and dietary intake in relation to food environment characteristics will be charted, mapped, and summarized in tabular and graphical formats. Findings will inform the refinement of effective food environment conceptual frameworks for this nutritionally vulnerable group.

This paper examines prosocial and moral behaviours that underpin survival strategies and food acquisition practices among a sample of food insecure homeless youth in Adelaide, Australia. The mixed method study included a study involving in-depth interviews about food procurement and food sharing practices with homeless youth (n = 15) aged 15–24 years. Interviewees demonstrated proactive prosocial behaviours including sharing food, information, begging cooperatively and protecting vulnerable others. Such behaviours may be representative of the prosocial necessities for some homeless youth. Two categories of data on moral frameworks underpinning food acquisition were found. The first category included individuals who morally disengage–that is, they revise their moral values in order to survive. The second category were those who will not be morally compromised. Homeless youth displayed modes of moral decision-making similar to domiciled adolescents, including attention to matters of justice, care of others and unselfishness. Prosocial behaviours and flexible moral choices may be a consequence of and response to food insecurity and be a useful theoretical behavioural framework for explaining unorthodox food acquisition strategies to address street food insecurity. The data provides a valuable contribution to the food security field through 'real' life insight and will be of interest to professionals working with homeless youth and planning interventions to build food security amongst vulnerable populations.

Food is an important basic source for human survival, food is the main source of human energy to be able to carry out daily activities well. There is no doubt that today's people's access to food sources is easier, where people can buy the food sources they want with stable purchasing power, but their full dependence on the purchase of food cannot meet the food needs of households during the Movement Control Order (MCO). This study examines the adaptation of the villagers of Topokon, Tuaran in ensuring the accessibility and availability of their food supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study uses quantitative methods through the distribution of survey forms as the main data and qualitative methods through semi-structured interviews as supporting data. This study uses a simple random sampling method, where the target population is residents of Kampung Topokon, Tuaran who are 18 years old and above and are the head of each household, the sample size of this study is 97 people. The study found that the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic was one of the factors that disrupted the availability and accessibility of food resources, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the food production chain process being able to be carried out only minimally due to the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO), disruptions in household income and rising prices of goods also affected the availability and accessibility of food resources for the population during the pandemic. The results of this study found that among the steps taken by the residents of Kampung Topokon, Tuaran are to start being active in the food agriculture sector (Crops and Livestock), as well as using traditional skills in processing food supplies. This study proves that, through the adaptation actions carried out by the Topokon community, Tuaran, food supplies can be stored for a long time, the adaptation actions taken also provide continuous supply and access to households, and increase the level of independence (SSL) as well as reduce dependence on the purchase of food supplies during the pandemic.

This study investigates how lifecourse, immigrant status and acculturation, and neighbourhood of residence influence food purchasing and preparation among low-income women with children, living in the USA. This research sought to understand physical and economic access to food, from both 'individual' and 'community' perspectives. This study used qualitative methodology (focus groups) to examine the mechanisms and pathways of food preparation and purchasing within the context of daily life activity for US- and foreign-born women, living in the USA. The study methodology analysed notes and verbatim transcripts, summarised recurring responses and identified new themes in the discussions. A total of 44 women were purposively sampled from two metropolitan areas in Massachusetts, USA, based on (1) neighbourhood of residence and (2) primary language spoken. All focus groups were conducted in community health centres and community centres co-located with offices of the special supplemental nutritional programme for Women, Infants, and Children. Analysis of key response themes suggested that scarcity of food and physical access to food purchasing points did not influence food purchasing and preparation as much as (1) limited time for food shopping, cooking and family activities; and (2) challenges in transportation to stores and childcare. The study results demonstrated differing attitudes toward food acquisition and preparation between immigrant and US-born women and between women who lived in two metropolitan areas in the western and eastern regions of the state of Massachusetts, USA. The findings illustrate 'hidden' constraints that need to be captured in measures of physical and economic access and availability of food. US policies and programmes that aim to improve access, availability and diet quality would benefit from considering the social context of food preparation and purchasing, and the residential environments of low-income women and families.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest nutritional safety net in the United States. Prior research has found that participants have higher consumption shortly after receiving their benefits, followed by lower consumption towards the end of the benefit month. Known as the “SNAP benefit cycle,” this consumption pattern has been found to have negative effects on beneficiaries. We hypothesize two behavioral responses of SNAP participants may work in tandem to drive much of the cycle: (1) short‐run impatience—a higher preference to consume today, and (2) fungibility of income—the degree of substitutability between a SNAP dollar and a cash dollar. Using data from the National Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (FoodAPS), a newly developed nationally representative survey of daily food acquisitions by SNAP households, we find evidence of both behavioral responses. However, the degree of short‐run impatience and fungibility of income is found to differ significantly across poverty levels and use of grocery lists to plan food purchases. SNAP households could gain from food purchase planning education.

In recent years, food safety issues have been occurring in Taiwan, making food safety increasingly concerned and valued. Some people think that they should not buy the brands that have had food safety problems, while others think they can continue to buy the brands that have had food safety problems because the brands have made adjustments. For brands that have had food safety issues, the complex and diverse consumer attitudes are worth discussing. This study examines the relationship model of the subjects regarding brand image, food safety certification trust, brand trust, brand loyalty, and purchase intention of brands with food safety problems. The research methods used in this study include literature review, expert interview, and questionnaire survey, and data analysis methods include exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and regression analysis.  Finally, this study proposes the tested relationship model. The results of this study can provide a certain reference and theoretical basis for solving the food safety problems of brands.

Food-insecure individuals' food acquisition practices can result in inadequate nutrition, consumption of unsafe foods, and risky behaviors. A survey instrument was developed to collect sociodemographic information and frequency of engagement in different practices. After expert review, cognitive interviewing and pretesting, data were collected from 10 individuals/site at 50 emergency food providers. Descriptive analysis was performed and prevalence of each practice was ascertained for 3 time periods. Participants confirmed use of 78 practices with 50% using 19. Sixty-three percent posed a potential risk, including eating road kill, going to prison to obtain meals, and diluting foods (like baby formula) to extend them. Prevalence and riskiness of practices used by the food-insecure can inform policy and public health decisions regarding issues of food insecurity.

This study assessed the perceptions of Kentucky consumers regarding the safety of the nation's food supply. Data were collected through a telephone survey of 728 respondents. Overall, most consumers were very or somewhat confident in the nation's food supply. Significant differences were noted among consumers based on age, gender and household income. The most likely locations for food safety problems were identified as food processing plants, followed by restaurants. Respondents that were most confident in the nation's food supply believed food poisoning occurred less frequently than those who were not confident in the food supply. Those consumers who were very confident and somewhat confident in the food supply had a significantly different perception of health risks in food from germs, pesticide residues and preservatives than those who had no confidence in the food supply. Respondents with someone in the household working in the foodservice industry were not significantly different in their confidence of the nation's food supply, or in their opinion of where food safety problems occur, than those who did not. Implications for the foodservice and hospitality industry are discussed.

The supply and maintenance of safe and wholesome foods to a population is a complex system involving mul- tiple stakeholders. An organizational scheme for representing this complexity is a food chain. A food chain also provides the appropriate structure for the management and communication of food risks. A natural extension of this framework is the concept of a food safety objective. The mathematical form of the food safety objective is a mathematical inequality which consistently incorporates a mechanism for combining objective and subjective risk in a single framework. Addi- tionally, the food safety objective mathematical inequality can be adapted to include uncertainty, when information is im- precise or unknown. This extension involves the use of statistical distribution to represent quantitative terms in the expres- sion. Food chain modeling using the FSO framework provides a useful tool for managing the complexity inherent in the supply of safe foods.

To assess whether the current food security measurement tool used in Canada, the Canadian Community Health Survey, is appropriate for use with homeless adults. The Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM), a validated measurement tool utilized for determining the food security status of Canadian households, was used with a group of homeless men (n = 40). In-depth interviews were also conducted with participants to obtain particulars about their food acquisition strategies. Data were analyzed by comparing the results of the HFSSM with qualitative data. The HFSSM measurement tool found that 90% (n = 36) of the study participants experienced food insecurity with 67.5% (n = 27) experiencing severe food insecurity and 22.5% (n = 9) experiencing moderate food insecurity. The qualitative data, however, suggested that all participants (n = 40) were food insecure based on food acquisition practices, food accessibility, and diet quality. The HFSSM has validity concerns when applied to homeless populations. Nutrition professionals and other key stakeholders should work to develop valid tools for measuring the food security status of homeless individuals who are highly vulnerable to food insecurity.