Resources Enabled to Assist the Community and Hunger (REACH): A Community Food Security Needs Assessment

Abstract

Food security is an indicator of a town’s vitality. Northern Illinois Food Bank, Northern Illinois University, and the rural town of of Rochelle, saw a need to identify what the current food security status was to help bridge gaps for the underserved. The purpose of this community food security needs assessment was to determine (1) the perceptions of food security, (2) awareness of existing resources available to the underserved, (3) how well these resources were able to serve those in need, and (4) if there was a need to strengthen current resources. Additionally, perceived barriers to food security related to the accessibility, availability, and affordability of food were also addressed. This mixed-methods design used focus groups and surveys. Key stakeholders, gatekeepers, and community residents were targeted for various sampling methods. The focus group data was analyzed using Krueger’s Methodology. Survey data used descriptive statistics to summarize demographic variables. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used to test the internal consistency of self-efficacy items, and crosstab analysis by Pearson’s chi-square test examined associations among categorical variables. Multinomial logistic regression was used to test the association between perception of barriers and motivators and age, gender, education level, employment status and number of children in household. Multiple linear regression was used to detect associations between risk factors and self-efficacy. Life skills are a necessity to this community in overcoming food insecurity. Self-efficacy was compromised related to eating healthier; however, there was an evident desire to receive nutrition education. Community members would like to see more programs and services offered in addition to food assistance programs, such as job and life skills training, and perhaps all located in the same place that is easily accessible for community members. Implications for future research and community collaborations derived from this community-based participatory research process are discussed.