Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:The project included staff from food pantries located in urban food deserts and key community membersin the Houston metro area, TX. The project also includedfood pantry clients who regularly obtained food from the food pantries. Changes/Problems:Our project involved working with food pantries and their clients. For food pantries and people who visit them, the pandemicmeant a tremendous shift in the need. COVID-19 impacted the food availability and access at household andcommunity levels. Food pantries had experienced unprecedented increases in the volume of individuals. Just likethe food pantries across the US, the food pantries who had agreed to participate in our project had been overwhelmed withthe increased demand and changes in their operations. Thus, there was a significant delay in starting our study activities. Also, it took longer than anticipated to recruit participants for the interview and survey completion. Additionally, one of the Co-PD'sassumed a new role at her institution which has led to some delay in theanalysis that were to be completed. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two dietetic interns were trained to conduct and code the interviews as part of this project. One undergraduate intern was trained to conduct literature search for the narrative review. A graduate student is helping with the cost analysis. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Some of the results have been presented at the following avenues: 1. 2023 Annual Meeting of the American Society for Nutrition held in Boston, MA. 2. Seminar held at the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine 3. Webinar organized by the Michael and Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living, University of Texas School of Public Health in Austin 4. Overall data findings (de-identified) from the interviews with the food pantry staff has been shared with the participating food pantries. 4. There are several manuscripts in the pipeline focused on results from: - interviews with the food pantry staff - focus group discussion and taste testing with the food pantry clients - survey data from food pantry clients - narrative review of the literature on hydroponic farming and food security (to be resubmitted in January 2024). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective1: To assess the socio-ecological implications of hydroponic farming at food pantries and identify the perceived benefits and barriers to the use of hydroponic farming at food pantries via individual interviews/focus groups Major activities completed: Staff members and key community members were provided with an educational package which included a presentation on hydroponic farming, credible youtube videos on hydroponic farming in practice, and examples of food pantries utilizing hydroponic farming. They were also provided with an opportunity to ask questions to a hydroponic farmer regarding logistics and costs. Individual interviews were then conducted with food pantry staff from five food pantries located in urban food deserts and key community members to obtain insight into current situation of food access and availability in their community and their perceived benefits and barriers to the use of hydroponic farming at the food pantries. Similar to the pantry staff, 58 pantry clients participated in focus group discussions to provide insights into the same topics listed above subsequent to being introduced to educational materials on hydroponic farming and produce grown hydroponically. Data collected: Qualitative data via individual interviews and focus group discussions. Results: Five major themes from the staff and key community member interviews were identified. These included: 1) availability and accessibility of foods, 2) produce procurement, 3) produce available at the food pantries, 4) availability of nutrition education, and 5) thoughts on hydroponic farming at the food pantries. Two sub-themes were identified for theme 5 regarding thoughts on hydroponic farming: 1) positive attitude, and 2) concerns. They also identified produce that would be of interest to the pantry clients though can be grown via hydroponic farming. Interview data from the food pantry clients are currently being coded. Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized: Food pantry staff and clients learned about hydroponic farming, its benefits and the associated logistics. They also learned about the crops that be grown. We, as researchers, learned about the availability of and the need for additional resources to conduct hydroponic farming at the food pantries. Objective 2: To assess acceptability of hydroponically grown foods among food pantry users via taste tests Major activities completed: Acceptability of hydroponically grown produce was determined by conducting sensory analysis with the pantry users who were recruited for the focus groups. Participants received blinded samples of hydroponically grown produce as well as in-soil conventionally grown produce bought from a grocery store. Participants rated the produce in order of preference on color, smell, taste, texture, and overall acceptability. Data collected: Sensory analysis test using the consumer preference test. A score of 4 will be considered a lower limit of acceptability. Results: Results on acceptability of hydroponically grown produce vs. traditionally grown produce were very similar. Mean scores for hydroponic produce vs. traditionally grown produce on the different aspects are as follows: Taste: 5.66 (1.74) vs. 5.65 (1.67); Visual appearance 5.89 (1.32) vs. 6.06 (1.30); Texture: 5.62 (1.76) vs. 5.72 (1.54); and Overall acceptability: 5.83 (1.60) vs. 5.88 (1.49). Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized: Food pantry clients learned that hydroponically grown produce can be as palatable and visually appealing as traditionally grown produce. Objective 3: To assess the individual, social/cultural, environmental, and economic level aspects that may impact the use and acceptability of hydroponic farming via surveys Major activities completed: Survey questionnaires used have been employed in previous studies with low-income populations and have been found to be valid and reliable. Surveys were available in both English and Spanish and were completed using the Amazon Kindle Fire platform. Data collected: All recruited pantry users completed a survey to assess the individual, social/cultural, environmental, and economic level variables using a survey that may impact the use and acceptability of hydroponic farming. Results: The survey data is currently being analyzed. However, preliminary analysis of the data from 58 participants revealed that more than 54% of the participants were 36-40 years old; almost 71% of the participants were Hispanic and about 90% were female. About 36% of the participants were high school graduates, 42% were married, and about 60% of the participants had at least one child <18 years in the household. Almost 50% had an annual household income of <$21,000, only 8.5% were employed full-time; the majority of the participants were employed part-time or were unemployed and looking for work. 71% participated in SNAP, 93% in WIC, 67% in school meals, and 95% in other food assistance program such as food pantries. About 63% visited the food pantry 1-2 times a month. With regards to food security status, close to 68% of the participants reported experiencing food insecurity (including low and very low food security). In fact, about 34% of the participants reported experiencing very low food security. Among households without children, 58% reported experiencing food insecurity and among households with children, 74% reported food insecurity. About 36% often got their fresh produce from food pantries. Additional analysis is underway. Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized: The data informed us on participants' food skills, food intake, food security, consumer behavior, social norms for fruit and vegetable consumption, cultural preferences, social support, kitchen equipment/appliance availability, home food availability, neighborhood food access, public transportation, and participation in food assistance programs. Objective 4: To assess the costs associated with hydroponic farming at food pantries Major activities completed: Data on initial investment costs for hydroponic farming and operating costs of water, energy, chemicals/nutrients, seeds, farm supplies, repair, packing, storage, distribution, and labor use were collected from a currently operating hydroponic farm. Average weekly production yield data, measured in pounds/week for hearty greens and herbs were also collected. Current data on food pantry operation and food costs were obtained from food pantries. Dr. Ishdorj is conducting the cost analysis. Data collected: Operational cost data associated with hydroponic farming at food pantries Results: Average power usage is 125 kWh per day; average water usage is <5 gal per day. The average cost for supplies including seeds, nutrient solutions, and other supplies is about $300 per month; and the average labor hours is about 15-20 hours per week. Average weekly yields for some of the fresh produce are as follows: lettuce (500 heads) - 95 to 140 lbs; leafy greens (e.g. arugula, spinach, collards, kale, etc.) - 50 to 110 lbs depending on the type of leafy greens), herbs (basil, cilantro, dill, mint, organo, parsley, etc.) - 20-100 lbs depending on the type. Additional cost analysis is underway currently. Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized: The data collected informed us as well as the pantry staff of the investment and operating costs as well as the potential yield from hydroponic farming. Objective 5: To integrate the qualitative and quantitative data collected to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the implications of using hydroponic farming at food pantries Major activities completed: Data obtained from objectives 1-3 will be integrated including data from interviews/focus groups, sensory analysis, and surveys. Data collected: Data from objectives 1-3 Results: Nothing to report since some of the analysis is still underway. Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized: Nothing to report
Publications
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Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:During this period, we reached out to the 5 food pantries who had agreed to participate in the project. Due to the unprecendented increase in the number of the people being served at the food pantries and changes in their operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we could not proceed with the planned study activities for year 1. However, we are now moving forward with the planned activities. Scripts forinterviews have been developed. We hope to start interviewing the food pantry staff and other community key stakeholders as planned for Aim 1 starting April 2022. We will then be recruiting food pantry clients with the help of the pantry staff to conduct interviews and surveys with them. Changes/Problems:Our project involves working with food pantries and their clients. For food pantries and people who visit them, the pandemic has meant a tremendous shift inthe need. COVID-19 has impacted the food availability and access at household and community levels. Food pantries have experienced unprecedented increases in the volume of individuals. For year 1 of the project, we had proposed to conduct interviews and/or focus groups with food pantries and their clients. However, just like the food pantries across the US, the food pantries who had agreed to participate in our project have been overwhelmed with the increased demand and changes in their operations. They are still interested in participating in the project. We are now moving forward with the study activities for Aims 1 and 3. In the meantime, we have been working on a narrative review titled "Hydroponic farming and food security: A narrative review". We hope to submit this for publication in a peer-reviewed journal by June 2022. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?For year 1 of the project, we had proposed to conduct interviews and/or focus groups with food pantries and their clients. However, just like the food pantries across the US, the food pantries who had agreed to participate in our project have been overwhelmed with the increased demand and changes in their operations due to the pandemic. They are still interested in participating in the project. We are now moving forward with interviews with the food pantry staff and other community key stakeholders (AIM 1) starting April 2022. We will also be recruiting and conducting interviews and surveys (Aims 1 and 3) with thefood pantry clients with the help of the pantry staff. Additionally, we have been working on a narrative review titled "Hydroponic farming and food security: A narrative review". We hope to submit this for publication in a peer-reviewed journal by June 2022.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Our project involves working with food pantries and their clients. For food pantries and people who visit them, the pandemic has meant a tremendous shift inthe need. COVID-19 has impacted the food availability and access at household and community levels. Food pantries have experienced unprecedented increases in the volume of individuals. For year 1 of the project, we had proposed to conduct interviews and/or focus groups with food pantries and their clients. However, just like the food pantries across the US, the food pantries who had agreed to participate in our project have been overwhelmed with the increased demand and changes in their operations. They are still interested in participating in the project. We are now moving forward with interviews with the food pantry staff and other community key stakeholders (AIM 1) starting April 2022. Additionally, in the meantime, we have been working on a narrative review titled "Hydroponic farming and food security: A narrative review". We hope to submit this for publication in a peer-reviewed journal in May 2022.
Publications
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