Journal of Food: Microbiology, Safety & Hygiene
Open Access

Barriers to food security for tenants in social housing

Joint Event on 9^th European Food Safety & Standards Conference & 3^rd International Conference on Food Microbiology & Nutrition

November 29-30, 2018 | Dublin, Ireland

Judy Walsh

Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society, Canada

Keynote: J Food Microbiol Saf Hyg

Abstract :

Using an explanatory case study design the author employed a community-based research method with a social justice perspective as a framework, to conduct a research project on the barriers to food security for single adults living in social housing. The objectives of the study are: (a) to examine the difference in the level of food security for housing projects located in an urban versus a rural community; (b) to examine the coping strategies that tenants employed to deal with the barriers; and (c) to examine which barriers have the greatest effect on the tenants. An explanatory matrix to illustrate the tenant identified barriers and the social structures that affect those barriers was used. Recommendations are made for integrating food security services and programs into social housing projects. The author argues that food security is a matter of public health and an integrative approach is needed. A shift on a larger policy scale is suggested, to promote the health and well-being of tenants in social housing. An adequate holistic perspective with an integrated, long-term strategy linking all the determinants of health would result in health-in-all policies. This strategy could reduce the existing health inequities that the tenants in social housing experience.

Biography :

Judy Walsh completed a research study on the barriers to food security as part of her Doctoral Degree from the University of Victoria, Canada (June 2016). She is currently the Tenant Relations Manager for the Buttertubs Place Seniors Housing Project operated by Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society (Canada). She has worked in the nonprofit human service field for over 40 years in a variety of settings. Her early career involved working with children, youth and families and has spent the last twenty years working in supportive housing for individuals with mental health and addiction concerns, physical disabilities and seniors. She has to her credit written policy and procedure manuals for many organizations and has presented at provincial and national conferences. She has also facilitated many training sessions and is a Certified Instructor for BC Non-Profit Housing Association. She has been a Sessional Instructor at UBC Okanagan College, Vancouver Island University and North Island College, Canada respectively.

E-mail: judy@nahs.ca