Qualitative explorations of the impacts of choice in a disadvantaged community accessing food aid

Introduction

In addition to offering food parcels (FPs), some UK foodbanks are piloting the provision of supermarket payment cards (SPCs) to people accessing their services, but little is known about the impacts of this provision. A randomised controlled trial (RCT) in a North-West London foodbank explored whether having choice to receive SPCs (intervention group) or FPs impacts food security, mental wellbeing and nutritional outcomes of foodbank guests, compared those offered FPs as standard (control group).

Goals and Methods

This study reports qualitative findings exploring RCT participant experiences and impacts of the FP and SPC support they received. At the end of their 6-week RCT participation, a subsample of participants (n=31) engaged in one-to-one and two-person semi-structured interviews. Interviews were coded inductively using thematic analysis.

Results

Participants expressed gratitude for the support received. Both FP and SPC helped alleviate food insecurity to some extent, however most people had enduring challenges that spanned beyond the 6 weeks of the food aid support. Experiences of FPs were mixed; some felt the FP content was good or acceptable, and for others, the content was not fit-for-purpose as contents did not meet cultural or dietary needs, food preferences, liking and familiarity, and non-dietary needs (e.g. hygiene, clothing, electrical, baby and pet products). Experiences for the intervention (SPC) group were highly positive, particularly because recipients enjoyed the layers of choice: choice to receive a FP or SPC, choice of where and when to shop, and choice of what to purchase.

Conclusions

Receipt of FPs or SPC often do not overcome chronic hardship, but offering choice to receive a SPC or FP was deeply empowering and provided numerous positive experiences. While food parcel provision is a common response to food insecurity and are supportive, this study highlights offering choice from SPCs is hugely beneficial for foodbank users.