The Iowa Food Security Project: Pilot Survey of Food Pantry Clients funded by the Iowa Nutrition Net

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The Iowa Food Security Project Pilot Survey of
Food Pantry Clientsfunded by the Iowa
Nutrition Network, IDPH, and USDA Food Stamp
Nutrition Education Program
Kimberly Greder, Steven Garasky, Helen Jensen,
and Lois Wright Morton Iowa State University
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Review of National Studies

• 7.67 of Iowas population is food insecure
  (second lowest rate among all states)
• 89,000 households
• 243,000 Iowans
• Source Current Population Survey (1998 - 2000)

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Iowa Food Security Survey
Communities
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Iowa Food Security Survey

• Methodology
• Build on USDA food security instrument
• Survey distributed at food pantry sites
• Survey given to focus groups of individuals with
  low incomes (i.e., elderly, parents with young
  children)

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Iowa Food Security Survey
Sometimes/often cut or skipped meals in last 12
months () Rural Urban Young Elderly P
arents 42 63 63 29
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Iowa Food Security Survey
Sometimes/often eat less than should in last 12
months () Rural Urban Young Elderly P
arents 64 77 62 44
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Iowa Food Security Survey
Sometimes/often could not afford balanced meals
in last 12 months () Rural
Urban Young Elderly Parents
65 83 81 56
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Iowa Food Security Survey
Food Security Findings Rural Urban
Young Elderly Parents Food secure
() 42 21 28 58 Food
insecure without hunger () 23 28
39 18 Food insecure with hunger ()
35 51 33 24
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Iowa Food Security Survey

• Discussion
• Survey respondents indicated that having enough
  to eat is a problem in their household.
• Food insecurity was prevalent among the
  participants in this study.
• Results based on these data from Iowa food pantry
  clients are not representative of any broader
  population.

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The Iowa Food Security Project Focus Group
Findings funded by the Iowa Nutrition Network,
IDPH, and USDA Food Stamp Nutrition Education
Program
Kimberly Greder, Steven Garasky, Helen Jensen,
and Lois Wright Morton Iowa State University
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Target Audience

• Low income-
• Elderly
• Parents with young children
• Lived in 4 counties
• Rural (Decatur, Monroe)
• Urban (Polk, Scott)

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Iowa Food Security Project

• Focus group findings Overall,
• Will eat less food, fresh fruit and vegetables,
  and meat, as well as lower quality food because
  of limited resources
• Paying bills more important than buying food
• Public transportation is inconvenient and
  expensive
• People will travel and shop at multiple stores
  for best prices
• Social support from family, friends, and churches
  (i.e., food, transportation) is key

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Iowa Food Security Project

• Focus group findings -
• Parents with young children
• Important that children are full vs. having a
  healthy diet.
• Food assistance is primary source of food.
• Limited food prep. and resmgmt knowledge/skills.
• Work doesnt paylow wages/decreased benefits.
• Little control over their lives.
• Nutrition education influences food purchases,
  meal planning strengthens parents ability to
  feed their families.

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Iowa Food Security Project

• Focus group findings -
• Elderly
• Believe direct relationship with food and health
• Do not believe they qualify for assistance
• Trade-off between prescription drugs and food
• Pride prevents them from participating in FSP
• They can make do with what they have
• Socially acceptable support congregate meals,
  SHARE, Meals on Wheels, Farmers Market Senior
  food vouchers

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Iowa Food Security Report Card Project

• Implications
• Food insecurity - growing concern in Iowa Need
  to examine safety net and shape it to support
  families with conditions they face today
• Social support one size does not fit all
• Food security is influenced by conditions at the
  household, community, and societal levels
• Need to involve families in shaping program and
  legislative policies

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Iowa Food Security Report Card Project

• Recommendations
• For elderly,
• Targeted outreach efforts
• Build on their pride and remaining independent
• Share information through socially acceptable
  programs
• Include practical, low-cost nutrition and food
  preparation information with food resources
• Partner elderly with young parents to share
  skills and knowledge

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Iowa Food Security Report Card Project

• Recommendations
• For parents with young children,
• Information about basic nutritional needs of
  children and adults, stretching food dollars, and
  parent influences on child eating habits
• Information and skill building pertaining to
  basic food preparation
• Integrate nutrition education into group settings
  where parents already are connected