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Cooking, Shopping, and Eating Behaviors of African American and Hispanic Families: Implications for a Culturally Appropriate Meal Kit Intervention

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  • Lauren H. Sweeney

    (Food Science and Human Nutrition Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA)

  • Kaley Carman

    (Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA)

  • Elder G. Varela

    (Department of Health Education and Behavior, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA)

  • Lisa A. House

    (Food and Resource Economics Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA)

  • Karla P. Shelnutt

    (Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA)

Abstract

Families with low incomes face barriers to preparing healthy meals, including decreased food access and limited time, and may turn to fast, low-quality, and inexpensive foods. Affordable and accessible meal kits may reduce these barriers. The objective of this study was to explore the cooking, eating, and shopping behaviors of African American (AA) and Hispanic participants living in the United States with low incomes and determine the knowledge of and preferences for a culturally appropriate meal kit intervention. Trained researchers conducted focus groups using a semi-structured questionnaire with AA and Hispanic food preparers with low incomes. Participant cooking, eating, and shopping behaviors and knowledge of and preferences for a culturally appropriate meal kit intervention were evaluated using thematic analysis. AA participants (n = 16) reported cooking on average 2 to 3 days per week and more often on weekends. Hispanic participants (n = 15) reported cooking 5 days per week and more often during the week. Both groups identified cost as the number one consideration when shopping. Most were unfamiliar with meal kits but indicated they would try an affordable meal kit. AA and Hispanic participants differed in their cooking, eating, and shopping behaviors but were equally interested in trying meal kits if affordable and culturally appropriate.

Suggested Citation

  • Lauren H. Sweeney & Kaley Carman & Elder G. Varela & Lisa A. House & Karla P. Shelnutt, 2021. "Cooking, Shopping, and Eating Behaviors of African American and Hispanic Families: Implications for a Culturally Appropriate Meal Kit Intervention," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-10, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:18:p:9827-:d:638116
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ana McCormick Myers & Matthew A. Painter, 2017. "Food insecurity in the United States of America: an examination of race/ethnicity and nativity," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 9(6), pages 1419-1432, December.
    2. Okrent, Abigail M. & Elitzak, Howard & Park, Timothy & Rehkamp, Sarah, 2018. "Measuring the Value of the U.S. Food System: Revisions to the Food Expenditure Series," Technical Bulletins 277568, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    3. Ylitalo, Kelly R. & Umstattd Meyer, M.Renée & Stone, Kahler & Doyle, Eva I. & Curtis, Ramona, 2016. "Using the Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) to assess barriers to healthy eating and active living in a low-income community," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 41-46.
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    Keywords

    meal kit; low-income; cooking; family;
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