Exploring Indigenous Undergraduate Students’ Experiences within Urban and Institutional Food Environments

Hannah Wilson, Hannah Tait Neufeld, Kim Anderson, Cara Wehkamp and Dalia El Khoury
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Hannah Wilson: Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, The University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
Hannah Tait Neufeld: School of Public Health Sciences, The University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
Kim Anderson: Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, The University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
Cara Wehkamp: Office of the President, The University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
Dalia El Khoury: Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, The University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 18, 1-14

Abstract: Indigenous Peoples within Canada experience higher rates of food insecurity, as do undergraduate students attending post-secondary institutions. Few studies have investigated the determinants of food practices and preferences for Indigenous students living away from their households and local environments. An exploratory study was designed to investigate Indigenous students’ experiences accessing local food environments. Research objectives included exploring Indigenous students’ experiences within institutional and community food settings; and examining campus- and community-based supports addressing their unique needs. Semi-structured interviews took place with eight self-identified Indigenous students. Four service providers participated in a focus group that included stakeholders from the post-secondary institution and the local community. Thematic analysis was used to categorize results into individual, interpersonal, organizational and community levels, according to the socio-ecological model. Themes based on the students’ responses included food and nutrition knowledge, financial capacity, convenience, social influences, campus food environment, cultural connections, and institutional support. Those participating in the focus group discussed the importance of social supports and connections to improve Indigenous students’ food environments beyond institutional parameters. Results suggest that Indigenous students are more aware of individual and interpersonal peer environments, with limited awareness of community services and cultural connections beyond campus. Indigenous students and community members require increased organizational and community awareness to support urban Indigenous food environments and sustainably address the range of socio-ecological conditions impacting food security.

Keywords: Indigenous; food environments; urban; food security; post-secondary; social support; health education; nutrition; food literacy; socio-ecological model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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