UAMS researchers study food insecurity through a cultural lens – KUAF Public Radio

Addressing Food Insecurity in Arkansas Through a Sustainable Development Goals Framework

Introduction: UAMS Research on Food Security

Researchers from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Institute for Community Health Innovation have completed two studies examining food insecurity in Arkansas. The findings provide critical data for addressing challenges aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). The research utilized a community-driven approach to investigate the daily realities of food insecurity and the need for culturally appropriate food assistance, offering a roadmap for creating more effective and equitable solutions.

Study 1: Documenting Lived Experiences to Advance SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Communities)

The first study, titled “Daily Reality of Food Insecurity: A Photovoice Study,” employed a participatory methodology that empowered individuals experiencing food insecurity to document their lives through photographs. This approach provides a visual narrative of their challenges, aligning with the principles of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by ensuring that the voices of affected populations are central to the research process. The analysis of participant photos and commentary revealed four primary themes.

• Community Receiving and Community Giving: This theme highlights the informal support networks within communities, such as neighbors sharing excess food. This demonstrates a key component of building resilient and self-sufficient communities, a core target of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
• High Cost of Healthy Foods: Participants documented the economic barriers to accessing nutritious food, a direct challenge to achieving SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and a clear indicator of the link between food insecurity and SDG 1 (No Poverty).
• Time Cost of Food Assistance: The study revealed the significant investment of time required for individuals to access food aid, often involving long waits at multiple pantries. This hidden burden represents an inequality that impacts well-being, a concern central to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
• Navigating Resource Scarcity: The daily management of insufficient resources is a constant struggle, underscoring the urgency of creating systems that provide reliable and adequate support to end hunger.

The study concludes that these visual testimonials are a powerful tool for educating stakeholders and fostering investment in innovative solutions to reduce Arkansas’s 18.9% food insecurity rate.

Study 2: Promoting Cultural Dignity and Nutrition through SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

The second study, “Process Evaluation of Culturally Preferred Pilot,” focused on identifying the food needs of the region’s Hispanic and Marshallese communities. By seeking to align food assistance with cultural preferences, the research directly addresses SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and promotes the dignity of all community members. It also contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by ensuring that provided food is not only nutritious but also desirable and likely to be consumed by families.

1. Demand for Fundamental Ingredients: Focus groups conducted in native languages revealed a strong preference for staple ingredients—such as fresh produce, cooking oil, flour, and masa—over pre-packaged, processed items. This allows families to prepare their own culturally appropriate and nourishing meals.
2. Highlighting Commonalities in Food Preferences: The research discovered that many desired foods, including apples, pumpkin, and cinnamon, are popular across different cultures. This insight helps food pantries and retailers understand that stocking these items can serve a broad and diverse population, promoting efficiency in line with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
3. Fostering Inclusivity and Cultural Identity: Providing access to culturally preferred foods serves as a powerful message of welcome and inclusion. It helps community members maintain their cultural practices and identity, strengthening the social fabric as envisioned in SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Community-Driven Methodology and Policy Implications

The UAMS research methodology is founded on community input, embodying the collaborative spirit of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The process begins by listening to community-identified challenges and potential solutions, followed by rigorous data collection and analysis, and concludes by returning to the community to support implementation.

• The findings provide an evidence-based guide for food pantries, charitable organizations, and retailers to improve service delivery.
• The research underscores the need for systemic changes that address not only food availability but also the economic and logistical barriers faced by food-insecure households.
• This community-centric approach serves as a model for developing data-informed policies that can effectively and simultaneously advance multiple SDGs, creating a more sustainable and equitable food system for all.

Identified Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• The article’s central theme is “food insecurity in Arkansas.” It directly addresses the challenge of ending hunger by exploring the daily realities of people who lack consistent access to food. The research aims to find ways to “combat food insecurity” and reduce the state’s high rate, aligning perfectly with the core mission of SDG 2.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• The article highlights the specific challenges faced by minority groups, namely the “Marshallese and Hispanic neighbors.” The second study focuses on the lack of “culturally preferred foods” for these communities, which is a form of inequality in access to appropriate resources. By conducting focus groups “in language” and seeking to understand and meet their specific needs, the research directly addresses the goal of promoting social inclusion and reducing inequalities among different ethnic groups.

SDG 1: No Poverty

• Food insecurity is a primary dimension of poverty. The article identifies “navigating resource scarcity” and the “high cost of healthy foods” as key themes from the study. These issues are direct consequences of poverty, and the effort to ensure food access is intrinsically linked to poverty alleviation.

Specific SDG Targets

Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food

• This target aims to ensure access to food for all people, especially the vulnerable. The article directly relates to this by examining the 18.9% food insecurity rate in Arkansas. The studies explore the barriers to accessing sufficient food, such as the “time cost of food assistance” (waiting in long lines, multiple trips to pantries) and the lack of nutritious, culturally appropriate options. The goal is to ensure people get “foods that will nourish their families.”

Target 10.2: Promote universal social, economic and political inclusion

• This target focuses on empowering and including all people, regardless of origin or ethnicity. The article’s focus on the Marshallese and Hispanic communities is a direct application of this target. The study on “Culturally Preferred Pilot” aims to ensure these groups’ preferences are considered in the food system, thereby promoting their inclusion and helping them “maintain [their] cultural identity and practices.”

Target 1.2: Reduce poverty in all its dimensions

• This target aims to reduce poverty according to national definitions. The article addresses the food insecurity dimension of poverty. The theme of “navigating resource scarcity” identified in the Photovoice study is a direct reflection of the daily struggles of people living in poverty. Reducing the food insecurity rate would directly contribute to achieving this target.

Implied Indicators for Measuring Progress

Indicator for Target 2.1

• Prevalence of food insecurity: The article explicitly mentions the “18.9% food insecurity rate we have in Arkansas” as a key statistic, which serves as a direct quantitative indicator.
• Access to and availability of nutritious food: The article implies this indicator by discussing the lack of “fresh produce” and the prevalence of “packaged things” in food pantries. The list of desired foods (apples, cinnamon, cooking oil, flour, masa) provides a baseline to measure the availability of nutritious and preferred ingredients.
• Time spent accessing food assistance: The article describes the “time cost of food assistance,” noting that people “wait in long lines” and visit pantries “about two and a half to three times a month.” This can be used as a qualitative or quantitative indicator of the efficiency and accessibility of the food aid system.

Indicator for Target 10.2

• Availability of culturally appropriate goods and services: The core of the second study is to measure the availability of “culturally preferred foods” for Marshallese and Hispanic communities. The findings provide a list of desired items (e.g., pumpkin for a Marshallese rice dish, masa for Hispanic meals) that can be used as a checklist or indicator to track whether pantries and stores are becoming more inclusive.

Indicator for Target 1.2

• Proportion of the population experiencing food insecurity: As mentioned, the “18.9% food insecurity rate” serves as a proxy indicator for this dimension of poverty. A reduction in this percentage would indicate progress toward reducing poverty.

Summary of Findings

Source: kuaf.com