Food Studies Commons^™

Health Outcomes Reported By Healthcare Providers And Clients Of A Community-Based Medically Tailored Meal Program, Jessica M Sautter, Jule Anne Henstenburg, Adrian Glass Crafford, Ian Rowe-Nicholls, Victor S Diaz, Kaitlyn Ann Bartholomew, Julia S Evans, Maria R Johnson, Jeffrey Zhou, Deeksha Ajeya

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

BACKGROUND: Medically tailored meal (MTM) programs provide home-delivered meals to people living with serious illness and poor nutritional status. Client outcome studies have found evidence of decreased healthcare utilization and cost savings associated with MTM program participation, and inconclusive evidence of change in health measures. The purpose of this study was to use a novel observational framework to describe the client profile and change in health outcomes using routinely collected health and program data from a community-based MTM program at MANNA (Philadelphia, PA).

METHODS: Clients reported their self-rated health and experiences of food insecurity and malnutrition. Healthcare providers reported clients' …

No. 03: Covid-19 Impacts On Food Security Of Refugees And Other Vulnerable Populations In Canada, Sujata Ramachandran, Zhenzhong Si, Danny Ning Dai

Migration and Food Security (MiFOOD) Network

This policy audit explores the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on food security in Canada, with a focus on immigrants, refugees, and other marginalized communities, particularly in Ontario and the Waterloo Region. COVID-19 significantly exacerbated food insecurity in the country, adding to existing vulnerabilities especially in historically disadvantaged communities, who already faced barriers such as low-income employment, poor housing, and limited healthcare access. COVID-19 responses, including lockdowns and travel restrictions, disrupted food production, processing, and retail services. The supply chain disruptions, along with inflation, drove food prices to their highest levels in decades. Economic access to food became a pressing …

Digital Marketing Strategies For Restaurants And Tourism Development In The Braj Region Of Uttar Pradesh, India, Vikas Sharma, Dr. Indraneel Bose, Dr. Ankit Srivastava, Garima Jain

Journal of Tourism Insights

This research explored digital marketing strategies for restaurants in the Braj region of Uttar Pradesh, India, using a mixed-methods approach over six months. It involved a representative sample of 25 restaurants selected through stratified random sampling to ensure diversity.

Quantitative data were collected via structured surveys assessing website presence, social media engagement, and online reviews, while qualitative insights were gathered through in-depth interviews and focus groups with restaurant owners and marketing managers.

Data analysis included descriptive statistics and regression analysis to examine the relationship between digital presence and business performance, alongside thematic analysis to identify cultural influences on marketing strategies. …

Exploring The Gastronomic Legacy Of Braj Regional Cuisine And Its Impact On Tourism Development, Vikas Sharma, Dr. Indraneel Bose

Journal of Tourism Insights

This study investigates the impact of Braj regional cuisine on tourism development, utilizing a quantitative research methodology. The research aims to understand how Braj cuisine, deeply rooted in the region's cultural and historical context, influences tourism dynamics. A structured survey was administered to 520 respondents, including 400 tourists and 120 tourism stakeholders from key locations within the Braj region, such as Mathura and Vrindavan. The survey assessed participants' perceptions of Braj cuisine, its appeal, and its role in enhancing the tourism experience. Additionally, tourism statistics from regional authorities were analyzed to identify trends and correlations related to culinary tourism.

Descriptive …

On-The-Go Dining In America: Comparing Convenience, Service Quality, And Satisfaction In Qsr Versus Gas Station Food, Shiva Jahani, Mohammed Lefrid, Lorie A. Tuma

Journal of Tourism Insights

Purpose

The objective of this multi-group study is to examine the influence of service quality and convenience on customer satisfaction in quick service restaurants (QSRs) versus gas stations.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected online from 552 participants in the USA and analyzed using partial least square structure equation modeling (SmartPLS).

Findings

Service quality and convenience are strong predictors of customer satisfaction in both QSR restaurants and gas station food outlets. In addition, this study concluded significant differences between QSRs and gas stations in terms of these relations.

Research limitations/implications

This study makes a significant contribution to the foodservice and consumer behavior …

No. 30: Pandemic Shocks And The Food Security Of Somali Migrants And Refugees In Nairobi, Kenya, Zack Ahmed, Jonathan Crush, Samuel Owuor

Migration and Food Security (MiFOOD) Network

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered severe shocks to food security for marginalized populations in urban areas. Somali migrants and refugees in Nairobi’s Eastleigh neighbourhood faced disproportionate impacts due to strict containment measures, disrupted food supply chains, and the shutdown of informal markets. These disruptions exacerbated existing socio-economic inequities, leading to heightened food insecurity. This paper examines the multi-dimensional effects of the pandemic on the food security of Somali migrants and refugees, focusing on their access to informal food networks and the broader socio-economic factors influencing their livelihoods. Utilizing a household survey and in-depth interviews conducted in August 2022, the study reveals …

Future Trends In Halal Food: How Innovative Islamic Business Models Are Redefining The Indonesian Market, Jimmi Qizwini, Diki Gita Purnama

Journal Of Middle East and Islamic Studies

Indonesia, a leading actor in the global halal food market, is undergoing significant transformations driven by the adoption of innovative Islamic business models. These models, which seamlessly integrate Islamic ethical principles with contemporary market forces, are fundamentally reshaping the structural and operational landscape of Indonesia’s halal food industry. This study aims to systematically investigate emerging trends, evaluate the impact of these pioneering business models, and provide a comprehensive analysis of their influence on consumer preferences and industry practices. Through a descriptive literature review, the research synthesizes insights from academic discourse and case studies to offer a thorough understanding of these …

The Impact Of Explaining Vegetarian Meal Requests On The Affective Responses And Perceptions Of Meat Eaters, Emma Howard, Kate Laffan Dr

Articles

Social situations can present challenges for those looking to reduce or avoid eating meat. In an experimental vignette study with a large representative sample of 1,117 UK-based meat eaters, we explore affective responses to requests for vegetarian meals and perceptions of those making the request across four social situations: a BBQ, a pub, a restaurant dinner, and a dinner party. We examine moderators of these perceptions including whether the requester presents themselves as vegetarian or a meat restrictor and whether they cite health, environmental or no motives for their request. Overall, we find that these moderators have a greater impact …

Purchase Intention Of Halal Product: An Applied Study In Lebanon, Soumaya Kaakour

Al Jinan الجنان

Halal is a topic that touches on both business and trade as well as religion. This study aims to investigate the following factors (religiosity, attitude, subjective norms, control behavior, Halal certification and perceived availability) that could affect the purchase intention of Halal products in Lebanese context. The research offers explanations for each variable in the suggested model. Following that, in the first quarter of 2022, data was collected from 202 respondents in Lebanon using an online survey form. SPSS version 20 was applied to test the generated data. Results indicates that the following variables (religiosity, attitude, subjective norms, perceived availability, …

No. 11: Food Insecurity And South Sudanese Urban Refugees In Kenya, Cherie Enns, Samuel Owuor, Abbey Lin, Jacqueline Fanta, Cobby Achieng, William Kolong, Kristin Swardh

Migration and Food Security (MiFOOD) Network

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the already precarious situation of urban South Sudanese refugees living in Nairobi and Nakuru, Kenya. The pandemic not only increased food insecurity but also disrupted livelihoods and exacerbated socio-economic vulnerabilities that were already significant. These refugees faced limited access to support mechanisms typically available in refugee camps, with inadequate government response and interruptions to remittance flows. Urban refugees were hit especially hard due to the absence of organized support frameworks, leaving them more exposed to the pandemic’s impacts.

This policy brief examines the critical challenges faced by urban South Sudanese refugees in terms of food security …

No. 10: Digital Technologies And Food Remitting By Zimbabwean Migrants In South Africa, Sean Sithole, Daniel Tevera, Mulugeta F. Dinbabo

Migration and Food Security (MiFOOD) Network

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted traditional remittance channels, particularly for Zimbabwean migrants in South Africa who relied on informal networks to send food and other essential goods back home. The closure of borders, lockdowns, and mobility restrictions disrupted these informal networks, accelerating the adoption of digital platforms for food remittances. This policy brief explores the role of emerging digital technologies such as mobile money apps and food remittance platforms in facilitating cross-border food transfers between Zimbabwean migrants in Cape Town and their families in Zimbabwe during the early stages of the pandemic. The brief examines how platforms like Mukuru and …

No. 09: Connecting Migrant Remittances And Food Security In Jamaica, Elizabeth Thomas-Hope

Migration and Food Security (MiFOOD) Network

Migrant remittances play a crucial role in supporting households in Kingston, Jamaica, particularly in mitigating the effects of poverty and food insecurity. However, while remittances improve household food security, their impact on reducing inequality and contributing to inclusive social development is more complex. Wealthier households are more likely to receive remittances, and the overall impact of remittances on broader economic growth and food security at the national level remains limited. This brief explores the relationship between remittances and food security in Jamaica within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on SDG 10. It …

No. 07: Pandemic Impacts On Migrant Food Security In Nanjing, China, Fei Xu, Taiyang Zhong, Jonathan Crush

Migration and Food Security (MiFOOD) Network

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant disparities in food security, particularly among migrant populations in urban settings. Migrant workers, often occupying precarious, low-paying jobs, experienced disruptions to their food access due to job losses, mobility restrictions, and social exclusion during the pandemic. This policy brief highlights key findings from MiFOOD research conducted in Nanjing during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, which revealed heightened levels of food insecurity among migrant households. Migrants were less likely to access online food systems due to technological barriers and exclusion from government aid programs. This brief provides recommendations to enhance food security resilience, including …

No. 08: Addressing Food Insecurity Among Central American Migrants In Mexico, Tiana Bakić Hayden

Migration and Food Security (MiFOOD) Network

Central American migrants living in Mexico City face unique challenges that contribute to heightened food insecurity, with issues stemming from incomplete documentation, social isolation, and precarious legal status. This brief examines these barriers and how they exacerbate food insecurity among migrant populations who reside in Mexico’s urban areas, particularly those from the Northern Triangle (Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador). Migrants face bureaucratic, social, and economic obstacles that limit their access to food, housing, and employment. The brief recommends policy changes aimed at improving documentation processes, enhancing social support networks, and addressing migrants’ specific food security needs.

No. 06: Enhancing Rural-Urban Linkages Through Food Remittances, Elizabeth Opiyo Onyango, Jonathan Crush, Samuel Owuor

Migration and Food Security (MiFOOD) Network

In many rapidly urbanizing African countries, food remittances from rural to urban areas play a vital role in maintaining rural-urban linkages. In Nairobi, Kenya, half of all households, regardless of migration status, receive food remittances from rural areas. Contrary to conventional beliefs, these food transfers are not solely linked to migration or poverty. Instead, they appear to be a long-standing, integral part of urban household resilience, especially for better-off households. As urbanization intensifies, policymakers should recognize the role of food remittances in ensuring food security for both migrants and non-migrant households. This brief explores key challenges such as economic inequality, …

No. 29: Translocal Households, Rural-Urban Links And Migrant Food Security In South Africa, Jonathan Crush, Godfrey Tawodzera, Maria Salamone

Migration and Food Security (MiFOOD) Network

This paper revisits the issue of rural-urban links in post-apartheid South Africa, challenging the assumption that the end of apartheid would lead to rapid urbanization and the dissolution of circular migration. Despite the abolition of influx controls and the significant increase in the urban population from 33% in 1980 to 55% in 2011 among black South Africans, rural-urban ties and flows have proven resilient. The persistence of circular migration is evident in the continuous flow of people, goods, and remittances between urban and rural areas. This paper draws on a survey of over 800 Eastern Cape migrants in Cape Town, …

No. 28: Male Circular Migration, Rural-Urban And Gender Dynamics, And Food Security In India, Chetan Choithani

Migration and Food Security (MiFOOD) Network

This paper examines the ways in which male circular migration as a household livelihood strategy affects food access among rural households in India. Circular male labor migration is the dominant form of labor mobility in many parts of India. This migration pattern creates important rural-urban linkages through income transfers and alters the gender power relations within the migrant-sending households. Drawing on empirical research in Siwan district in the eastern state of Bihar, this paper analyzes the influence of these dynamics of migration on household food security, with the larger objective of bridging the divide that currently exists between migration and …

New Dimensions In Dining: A Review Of The Gastronomic Evolution Of 3d Printed Foods From 2013-2024 And Beyond., Roisin Burke

Articles

The development of 3D food printing is evolving, particularly in high-end restaurants, since 2013 when the first complex 3D printed chocolate concept for gastronomy was developed. In 2014, several 3D food printers were launched specifically to suit requirements from the culinary sector. These technology companies often partnered with renowned chefs who developed recipes, showcased the printers and served their food products in their restaurants. Chefs often worked in teams with e.g. food designers, technologists, engineers, and nutritionists to create dishes for events and for their own restaurant customers. From Michelin starred restaurants, pop-up events to pizzerias, 3D food printers were …

Coloniality In Farming: Disempowerment In The Margins And The Path To Decoloniality, Jehu Laniog

Sociology & Anthropology Department Faculty Publications

Coloniality, as defined by Walter Mignolo, is the complex matrix of power dominated by Western hegemony that holds places beyond the West within its grip. The state of coloniality, established through decades of colonial rule, introduced Western forms of political and economic systems exogenous to colonized spaces, heavily influencing the current trajectory of development in various nations across the globe. This presentation gazes into the role of the state in disempowering the margins through agricultural policies and how this magnifies coloniality in farming communities. In an archipelago, the call for decoloniality is an action towards multifaceted empowerment through a pluriversal …

Devices And Dining: A Cross-Cultural Analysis Of Mobile Device Use In Italian And American Restaurants, O'Malley Jenkins

Senior Theses

The field of technology ethics has seen increasing growth and interest over the years. Many have begun to consider the impacts of technology’s use and whether it is being employed in a healthy manner by users. However, there has been limited investigation into whether the ways in which technology use varies across cultures. This study begins to address this gap by researching Italian and American device usage in fast food settings. Non-participant naturalistic observations were used to record data for 89 Italian and 88 American customers of fast food restaurants. Analysis of the collected data indicates that Americans use their …

Environmental Justice And Social Work: A Study Across Practice Settings In Three U.S. States, Lisa Reyes Mason, Sierra Roach Coye, Smitha Rao, Amy Krings, Julia Santucci

Graduate School of Social Work: Faculty Scholarship

Environmental justice is essential for improved quality of life and sustainable wellbeing. This study examines how environmental issues and related injustices are surfacing in U.S. social work practice and social work readiness to respond, and what resources social workers are most interested in. Data are from an online survey of U.S. social workers (N = 337) in Colorado, Ohio, and Tennessee. Participants answered questions about their social work background, current job, environmental issues in practice, resources, and demographics. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics. For nine issues, at least 30% of participants reported these as surfacing sometimes or often, with …

Northern Ireland And Donegal: Ireland Part 1, Jean Lavigne

Environmental Studies Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Health And Environmental Messaging With And Without Product Filtering In Complex Retail Markets: The Case Of Pulses, Christopher R. Gustafson, Henriette Gitungwa, Sushil C. Sapkota, Devin J. Rose

Department of Agricultural Economics: Faculty Publications

Introduction: Multiple barriers exist to healthy and environmentally sustainable food choices. Limited consumer understanding of the health and environmental implications of food choices complicates their abilities to make choices that lead to desired outcomes. The complexity of the retail environment itself may crowd out less immediate motivations to address health or environment. Even if consumers understand general impacts of food choices on health and environmental outcomes, there may be non-negligible time and search costs to identifying the products that meet consumers’ needs. In many food categories, the foods containing attributes that help achieve health and sustainability outcomes may represent …

No. 02: Impacts Of Covid-19 Policy Measures On Migration And Food Security In Ecuador, Mercedes Eguiguren, Cheryl Martens

Migration and Food Security (MiFOOD) Network

The COVID-19 pandemic had profound effects on Ecuador, exacerbated by pre-existing weaknesses in the public health system, economic austerity policies, and social inequalities. The reliance on containment measures, combined with insufficient social support, resulted in severe economic and social decline. Migrants, already a vulnerable group, were further marginalized during the pandemic, facing exclusion from social protection programs and increased food insecurity. This report examines the impacts of COVID-19 policy measures on migration and food security in Ecuador, focusing on urban contexts, particularly the capital city of Quito. The findings underscore the need for more integrated research and policy approaches that …

The Minnesota State Fair, Jean Lavigne

Environmental Studies Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Bridging Implementation Science And Human-Centered Design: Developing Tailored Interventions For Healthier Eating In Restaurants, Melissa Fuster, Shelby Hipol, Terry Tk Huang, Uriyoán Colón-Ramos, Cara Conaboy, Rosa Abreu, Lourdes Castro Mortillaro, Margaret A. Handley

Publications and Research

Restaurants are important institutions in the communities’ economy with the potential to promote healthier foods but have been under-engaged in public health nutrition efforts. In particular, independently owned, minority-serving and minority-owned restaurants, remain under-represented in nutrition promotion efforts despite disproportionate burdens of diet-related health outcomes among minority populations. Addressing this gap in engagement, we undertook a process of co-designing and implementing healthy eating-focused interventions in two Latin American restaurants in New York City, combining the Behavior Change Wheel intervention development framework with a Human-Centered Design approach. Restaurant owners and chefs were involved in the research synthesis and solution development processes, …

No. 05: Pandemic Precarity And Food Insecurity Among Zimbabwean Migrants In South Africa, Godfrey Tawodzera, Jonathan Crush

Migration and Food Security (MiFOOD) Network

This policy brief highlights the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Zimbabwean migrants living in South Africa, with a particular focus on food insecurity and economic precarity. The pandemic exacerbated existing vulnerabilities within the migrant community, many of whom rely on informal, low-wage labour sectors for their livelihoods. The survey conducted in 2021 among Zimbabwean migrants revealed widespread unemployment, drastic income reductions, and severe food insecurity, primarily driven by pandemic-related restrictions and the resultant economic contraction. Zimbabwean migrants, a significant proportion of whom work in South Africa’s informal economy, were disproportionately affected by the lockdowns and mobility restrictions. The …

Falafel: Plat Du Jour, Jean Lavigne

Environmental Studies Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

No. 04: Canadian Support For Women In The Informal Food Sector In The Global South, Heba Hamzeh, Laeba Khan, Adwoa Konadu-Yiadom

Migration and Food Security (MiFOOD) Network

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the vulnerabilities faced by women in the informal food sector in the Global South, deepening existing gender inequalities and economic inequities. Women informal food vendors play a critical role in ensuring food security in urban areas, yet their contributions are often undervalued and unsupported by formal policy frameworks. This policy brief presents two case studies from Mexico City and Maputo, Mozambique, highlighting the challenges women face in this sector, including lack of legal security, financial instability, and limited access to social protection. In response to these challenges, there is a pressing need for targeted interventions …

No. 27: Invisible Work, Visible Impacts: Gender, Migrants, And Informal Food Trade Amid The Covid-19 Pandemic In The Global South, Laeba Khan

Migration and Food Security (MiFOOD) Network

This paper examines the abrupt and far-reaching consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on women engaged in the informal food sector within the Global South. It highlights the deepening effects of the pandemic on food insecurity, gender inequality, and economic disparities. Based on a case study of three groups of women – internal migrants, international migrants, and cross-border traders – engaged in informal food work within and across countries and regions of the Global South, the paper investigates the compounded challenges they face, as well as their exacerbated risks and vulnerabilities. The analysis exposes the complex interplay between gender, migration, and …