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An evaluation of SecondBite ® 's FoodMate ® , a nutrition education and skill‐building program aimed at reducing food insecurity
Author(s) -
Stephens Lena D.,
Smith Geoff,
Olstad Dana Lee,
Ball Kylie
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
health promotion journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.515
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 2201-1617
pISSN - 1036-1073
DOI - 10.1002/hpja.298
Subject(s) - thematic analysis , nutrition education , descriptive statistics , qualitative property , qualitative research , promotion (chess) , psychology , health promotion , medical education , gerontology , medicine , environmental health , public health , nursing , social science , sociology , statistics , mathematics , machine learning , politics , computer science , political science , law
Issue addressed Enhancing food skills and nutrition knowledge may help promote healthy eating among people who are food insecure. FoodMate ® by SecondBite ® , an 8‐week nutrition education and food hamper program, focuses on developing food skills and independence among Australians at risk of/experiencing food insecurity. This study aimed to explore participants' perceptions of and experiences with FoodMate ® over a long‐term (up to 2 years) follow‐up. Methods For evaluation purposes, SecondBite ® previously collected data from participants prior to (T1) and following completion (T2) of FoodMate ® . This paper reports results from semi‐structured telephone interviews conducted in a follow‐up study (2016/2017, T3) among 19 adults enrolled in FoodMate ® programs delivered in Victoria and New South Wales within the previous two years. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis of responses to T3 open‐ended questions, and descriptive analysis of closed‐ended question responses (T1 vs T2 vs T3). Results Major qualitative themes included program enjoyment; perceived positive long‐term program impact on participants' eating and related attitudes and skills; barriers to cooking; suggested program modifications; and impact on others. In descriptive quantitative analyses, participants' diet; confidence to cook using basic ingredients, follow simple recipes and try new foods; cooking and food‐related skills; social engagement and life satisfaction all improved between T1 and T3. Conclusions Overall, FoodMate ® was well‐received and associated with long‐term positive changes in a range of outcomes. Wider implementation among vulnerable groups should be considered. So what? Future health promotion initiatives could adopt FoodMate ® to increase food skills and knowledge among adults experiencing food insecurity.