Strategizing Dinner: How American Pantry Users Think about Feeding Their Families with Limited Resources

Tracey Kathleen Burke, Amanda K. Walch, Kiana Holland, Brynn Byam and David Reamer
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Tracey Kathleen Burke: School of Social Work, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
Amanda K. Walch: Dietetics & Nutrition Program, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
Kiana Holland: Graduates of University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
Brynn Byam: Graduates of University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
David Reamer: Graduates of University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 17, 1-15

Abstract: The financial crisis associated with the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated food insecurity in the United States. The emergency provides an opportunity to re-think the American nutrition-assistance system. In this paper, we describe findings from a community-based project conducted in urban Alaska before the pandemic in collaboration with a local food pantry. We conducted semi-structured interviews with nineteen food recipients, half of them twice, about how they procure food and prepare their meals in the context of juggling other expenses and demands on their time. What participants in our study do fits mainstream American patterns. Our study adds to the knowledge base by focusing on how families think strategically about their situations in context. In addition to cost, participants take nutrition and flavor into account. Most importantly, they do not think about assistance programs in isolation but holistically.

Keywords: food security; food pantries; food choices; low income; coping strategies; safety net (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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