We investigate how access to high-quality food can be improved for people in vulnerable situations in Antwerp. We do this by strengthening practice partners in their work on this topic.
The growing number of food-related initiatives appears to have limited reach among people in vulnerable positions. International literature on food injustice and food insecurity points to an unequal distribution of high-quality, sustainable food across society. This inequality has many causes. For example, a study on food retail in Antwerp shows that social housing districts and garden suburbs risk becoming food deserts.
In this research, we combine insights from Nutrition & Dietetics and Social Work to explore the barriers to accessing quality food and to support practice partners in improving this access.
In the first phase, we survey practice partners working in both disciplines about their experiences with food and vulnerability (broad field survey):
- What challenges do they encounter?
- Who do they consider the target group in this context?
- What organizational needs do they identify?
The second phase consists of a mixed-methods study involving people in vulnerable positions in Antwerp North who experience food insecurity:
- What are their dietary patterns?
- What barriers do they face?
In this part, we combine quantitative data with forms of qualitative storytelling (developing life narratives around food). We also conduct in-depth qualitative interviews with selected organizations engaged in food and vulnerability, exploring their effective practices, barriers, and challenges.
Throughout the project, we work together with practice partners and the target group on knowledge sharing, valorizing lessons learned, and developing support materials for practitioners who wish to focus on this topic.