O11 Exploring Access to Quality Food: Realities and Challenges for Consumers and Producers in a Mediterranean Island

Abstract

Background In an ideal food system, the different stakeholders strive for a common vision where outcomes are optimized in an equitable way in terms of food and nutrition security and social wellbeing. Such food system helps ensure good livelihoods, healthy and safe food, and thriving communities and culture. Malta lacks a comprehensive food policy providing for such a system. Objective This study explored whether consumers in Malta, particularly low-income consumers, have access to good quality, healthy, and clean food, without compromising on fair conditions and a decent pay for producers. Study Design, Setting, Participants Data was collected over four phases: (a) semi-structured interviews of experts and stakeholders in the food sector, (b) ethnographic market observations of consumer food choice behaviors, (c) market interventions recording observations of consumers at a pop-up healthy food stall, and (d) two focus groups with farmers and female consumers. Measurable Outcome/Analysis Data was subjected to qualitative analysis, uncovering patterns and common themes. Results Two theoretical concepts emerged from thematic analysis: internal (personal) factors and external (environmental) factors, which were broken down into major themes: money, attitude, economy, education, information, and culture. The identified themes revealed several gaps in communication and understanding between consumers, farmers, media and academics. Time was seen as a significant barrier to engaging with healthy, clean, and fair foods, especially in the realm of home-cooked meals. Additional barriers were information overload, information vacuums and anxiety, although some anxiety was positive, leading to appropriate food choices. Producers were often affected by lacunae in marketing skills and means, and the effectiveness and limitations of government food-related policies were not well understood. Conclusion More research needs to be done on common misperceptions and subjective ideas behind healthy, clean, and fair foods, on the disconnect between different players in the food system, and on whether information overload, information vacuums, and anxiety pose a significant threat to food choice and accessibility. Several research-in-action studies are proposed to help plan for sustained infrastructural, capacity-building and policies. Funding President's Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society (Malta).