Mandana Vahabi|Cynthia Damba
Perceived barriers in accessing food among recent Latin American immigrants in Toronto
Toronto Metropolitan University
canada recent immigrant households experience food insecurity general population limited information available personal cultural social factors contribute vulnerability study focused recent latin american la immigrants explore perceived barriers acquiring safe nutritious culturallyappropriate fooda crosssectional mixedmethod design applied collect information convenience sample 70 adult spanishportuguese speakers arrived toronto within last five years facetoface interviews conducted primary household caregivers obtain responses barriers acquiring food households data analyzed using thematic analysis techniquefour main categories barriers identified limited financial resources language difficulty cultural food preferences poor knowledge available communitybased food resources services inadequate income main impediment accessing adequate food related affordability food items accessibility food outlets transportation cost limited time grocery shopping due work conditions language barriers affected participants ability obtain wellpaid employment awareness access available communitybased food resources cultural barriers related food preferences limited access culturallyappropriate foods resourcesthe main barrier food security among sample la newcomers toronto limited financial resources highlighting need policies strategies could improve financial power purchase sufficient nutritious culturallyacceptable food linguistic barriers limited information among newcomers suggest need provide linguistically culturallyappropriate information related communitybased food programs resources well accessible subsidized english language programs community workplaces participatory communitybased food programs augment socially acceptable manner food resources reduce social stigma attached food charity finally crucial monitor evaluate existing social communitybased services accessibility cultural appropriateness diversity effectiveness