Having Enough Cultural Food? A Qualitative Exploration of the Experiences of Migrants in a Regional Area of Australia

Abstract

The notion of food security encompasses the ability of individuals, households and communities to acquire food that is healthy, sustainable, affordable, appropriate and accessible. Despite Australia's current ability to produce more food than required for its population, there has been substantial evidence demonstrating that many Australians struggle to feed themselves, particularly those from a cultural and linguistically diverse (CALD) background. This qualitative phenomenological study investigated the experiences of food security among migrants in a regional area of Australia (Tasmania).33 semi-structured interviews were conducted with Tasmanian migrants. The interviews were analysed thematically using Nvivo 10.0 and three main themes emerged: (1) migrant's experiences of food security in Tasmania; (2) the factors that influence migrant food security in Tasmania; and (3) acculturation strategies. Participants were satisfied with their current food security in Tasmania but they still encountered some challenges in the availability, accessibility and affordability of healthy and cultural food. Factors that influenced their food security were educational background, the language barrier, socioeconomic status, geographical isolation, and their cultural background. Migrants managed to adapt to the new food culture by using different acculturation strategies.Migrants residing in Tasmania encounter a diverse number of challenges pertaining to food security and use different food security strategies while acculturating to the new environment. These findings may inform other migrant communities in Australia, relevant non-government organisations and government departments and suggest strategies to address food security challenges among migrants.

Food environment interactions after migration: a scoping review on low- and middle-income country immigrants in high-income countries

“…Immigrants reported that there was an overall abundance of food in the host country (64,70,86) ; produce was always available and not just seasonally as they were used to (71,83,88,91) . Eating a healthy diet based on fresh foods was challenging as they were more difficult to access, particularly in smaller metropolitan areas that depended on seasonal produce (69) while neighbourhoods were filled with stores providing unhealthy options (41,61) .…”

“…Moreover, the articles referred to an increased availability of cultural including halal foods over time (2,85,86,91) . In different settings, some groups had an easier time than others to find their cultural foods, though many found it a challenge (58,61,62,68,70,73,75,76,82,86,91) . There was a lack of familiarity and variety thereof (86) .…”

“…In different settings, some groups had an easier time than others to find their cultural foods, though many found it a challenge (58,61,62,68,70,73,75,76,82,86,91) . There was a lack of familiarity and variety thereof (86) . Halal foods would have to be accessible for meat and meat-containing products to be considered as 'available' for consumption, in the same way as unfamiliar fruits and vegetables tend to be ignored (64,78,91) .…”

“…Other food sources were frequented primarily for fresh produce; these included farmers' markets (43,46,54,56,75,82) , Pulgas (flea markets), fruit and vegetable stands, vendors, farms, livestock markets as well as family, friends or neighbours (29,35,44,52,58,61,75) or by foraging for food (35,52,58,75) . Many immigrants cultivated or longed to grow their own food again (37,39,56,58,62,64,65,73) , as a way to access tastier, more nutritious, culturally appropriate fresh produce they could trust, while saving money (37,52,54,56,58,65,75,82,86) .…”

“…Low incomes were centrally linked to food insecurity (35,36,38,49,50) and food decisions are majorly impacted by income (78) , leading to a lack of control over food choices (86,90) . Food prices were often high in relation to the income of immigrants (74) , which was a hindrance for buying food (42,64,86) . This was particularly relevant for nutritious food like fruits, vegetables fish and meat that were more expensive (28,29,52,61,65,(84)(85)(86)90) .…”