Skip Navigation Links.
Journal of Food Security. 2023, 11(3), 106-116
DOI: 10.12691/JFS-11-3-4
Original Research

Effectiveness of a Sliding Scale Payment Model at a Community Food Market to Reduce Customer Food Insecurity Status

Maiya Ahluwalia1, Heidi Emery1, Nicole Steadman1, David M. Beauchamp2, Rachel K. von Holt2, Nadia M. Cartwright2, Elaina B.K. Brendel2 and Jennifer M. Monk2,

1Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph, Guelph ON, Canada

2Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph ON, Canada

Pub. Date: December 28, 2023
Full Text PDF

Cite this paper

Maiya Ahluwalia, Heidi Emery, Nicole Steadman, David M. Beauchamp, Rachel K. von Holt, Nadia M. Cartwright, Elaina B.K. Brendel and Jennifer M. Monk. Effectiveness of a Sliding Scale Payment Model at a Community Food Market to Reduce Customer Food Insecurity Status. Journal of Food Security. 2023; 11(3):106-116. doi: 10.12691/JFS-11-3-4

Abstract

Food insecurity is a global public health challenge, with those affected having inadequate or insecure access to food due to financial constraints. This study determined the effectiveness of reducing community food insecurity by implementing a sliding scale payment model approach at a local community food market in Guelph ON, Canada. In this payment model, fresh produce could be purchased at the market within a price range along a sliding scale, wherein lower income customers can confidentially select to pay prices at the lower end of the payment scale, whereas those with higher household incomes can select to pay the higher payment option. In this pilot study, customers of the community food market (n=119) were surveyed to determine their food insecurity status both prior to and after regularly shopping at the food markets, and how using the sliding scale payment model impacted their access to affordable produce. Market attendance was shown to reduce customers self-reported indicators of food insecurity (P<0.05). Additionally, customer household income levels were correlated with the price they paid along the sliding scale; wherein lower and higher income households paid for produce at a corresponding level on the payment scale. These results demonstrate that the sliding scale payment model is supported by the community across household income levels and was successful at reducing customer food insecurity. This model could be implemented in other communities to reduce food insecurity.

Keywords

food insecurity, community food markets, sliding scale payment, community nutrition

Copyright

Creative CommonsThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References

[1]  Tarasuk V., Li T., Fafard St-Germain A.A. (2022).Household Food Insecurity in Canada, 2021. Toronto: Research to identify policy options to reduce food insecurity (PROOF). Available from https://proof.utoronto.ca/.
 
[2]  Fafard St-Germain A.A., Tarasuk V. (2018).Prioritization of the essentials in the spending patterns of Canadian households experiencing food insecurity. Public Health Nutr. 21(11): 2065-78.
 
[3]  Kirkpatrick S.I., Tarasuk V. (2009). Food insecurity and participation in community food programs among low-income Toronto families. Can J Public Health. 100(2): 135-9.
 
[4]  Rong S., Snetselaar L.G., Xu G., Sun Y., Liu B., Wallace R.B., et al. (2019). Association of Skipping Breakfast With Cardiovascular and All-Cause Mortality. J Am Coll Cardiol. 73(16): 2025-32.
 
[5]  Abdurahman A.A., Chaka E.E., Nedjat S., Dorosty A.R., Majdzadeh R. (2019) The association of household food insecurity with the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Nutr. 58(4): 1341-50.
 
[6]  Men F., Gundersen C., Urquia ML., Tarasuk V. (2020). Association between household food insecurity and mortality in Canada: a population-based retrospective cohort study. CMAJ.192(3): E53-E60.
 
[7]  Gundersen C., Tarasuk V., Cheng J., de Oliveira C., Kurdyak P. (2018). Food insecurity status and mortality among adults in Ontario, Canada. PLoS One. 13(8): e0202642.
 
[8]  FAO,IFAD,UNICEF,WFP,WHO. (2021).The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2021. Transforming food systems for food security, improved nutrition and affordable healthy diets for all. Rome, FAO.
 
[9]  Pollard C.M., Booth S. (2020). Correction: Pollard, C.M.; Booth, S. Food Insecurity and Hunger in Rich Countries-It Is Time for Action against Inequality. Int J Environ Res Public Health.17(7).
 
[10]  Roncarolo F., Adam C., Bisset S., Potvin L. (2015) Traditional and alternative community food security interventions in Montréal, Québec: different practices, different people. J Community Health. 40(2): 199-207.
 
[11]  Skinner K., Hanning R.M., Desjardins E., Tsuji L.J. (2013). Giving voice to food insecurity in a remote indigenous community in subarctic Ontario, Canada: traditional ways, ways to cope, ways forward. BMC Public Health. 13: 427.
 
[12]  Shafiee M., Keshavarz P., Lane G., Pahwa P., Szafron M., Jennings D., et al. (2022). Food Security Status of Indigenous Peoples in Canada According to the 4 Pillars of Food Security: A Scoping Review. Adv Nutr. 13(6): 2537-58.
 
[13]  Caron N., Plunkett-Latinmer J.,et al. Statistics Canada. Ottawa (ON): Canadian Income Survey: food insecurity and unmet health care needs, 2018 and 2019. Statistics Canada; Ontario, ON, Canada : 2022.Available from: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/75f0002m/75f0002m2021009-eng.htm.
 
[14]  Fitzpatrick T., Rosella L.C., Calzavara A., Petch J., Pinto A.D., Manson H., et al. (2015). Looking Beyond Income and Education: Socioeconomic Status Gradients Among Future High-Cost Users of Health Care. Am J Prev Med. 49(2):161-71.
 
[15]  Gundersen C., Ziliak J.P. (2015). Food Insecurity And Health Outcomes. Health Aff (Millwood). 34(11):1830-9.
 
[16]  Tait C.A., L'Abbé M.R., Smith P.M., Rosella L.C. (2018). The association between food insecurity and incident type 2 diabetes in Canada: A population-based cohort study. PLoS One. 13(5): e0195962.
 
[17]  Seligman H.K., Bindman A.B., Vittinghoff E., Kanaya A.M., Kushel M.B. (2007). Food insecurity is associated with diabetes mellitus: results from the National Health Examination and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2002. J Gen Intern Med. 22(7): 1018-23.
 
[18]  Tarasuk V., Mitchell A., McLaren L., McIntyre L. (2013) Chronic physical and mental health conditions among adults may increase vulnerability to household food insecurity. J Nutr. 143(11): 1785-93.
 
[19]  Ford E.S. (2013) Food security and cardiovascular disease risk among adults in the United States: findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2003-2008. Prev Chronic Dis.10: E202.
 
[20]  Seligman H.K., Laraia B.A., Kushel M.B. (2010). Food insecurity is associated with chronic disease among low-income NHANES participants. J Nutr. 140(2): 304-10.
 
[21]  Heflin C.M., Siefert K., Williams D.R. (2005). Food insufficiency and women's mental health: findings from a 3-year panel of welfare recipients. Soc Sci Med. 61(9): 1971-82.
 
[22]  Heflin C.M., Ziliak J.P. (2008). Food insufficiency, food stamp participation, and mental health. Social Science Quarterly. 89(3): 706-27.
 
[23]  McIntyre L., Williams J.V., Lavorato D.H., Patten S. (2013). Depression and suicide ideation in late adolescence and early adulthood are an outcome of child hunger. J Affect Disord. 150(1): 123-9.
 
[24]  Muldoon K.A., Duff P.K., Fielden S., Anema A. (2013).Food insufficiency is associated with psychiatric morbidity in a nationally representative study of mental illness among food insecure Canadians. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 48(5): 795-803.
 
[25]  Alaimo K., Olson C.M., Frongillo E.A. (2002). Family food insufficiency, but not low family income, is positively associated with dysthymia and suicide symptoms in adolescents. J Nutr. 132(4): 719-25.
 
[26]  Council N.R. (2006). Food insecurity and hunger in the United States: an assessment of the measure: Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
 
[27]  Adams E.J, Grummer-Strawn L., Chavez G. (2003). Food insecurity is associated with increased risk of obesity in California women. J Nutr. 133(4): 1070-4.
 
[28]  Ding M., Keiley M.K., Garza K.B., Duffy P.A., Zizza C.A. (2015). Food insecurity is associated with poor sleep outcomes among US adults. J Nutr. 145(3): 615-21.
 
[29]  Anema A., Chan K., Chen Y., Weiser S., Montaner J.S., Hogg R.S. (2013). Relationship between food insecurity and mortality among HIV-positive injection drug users receiving antiretroviral therapy in British Columbia, Canada. PLoS One. 8(5): e61277.
 
[30]  Gucciardi E., Vogt J.A., DeMelo M., Stewart D.E. (2009).Exploration of the relationship between household food insecurity and diabetes in Canada. Diabetes Care. 32(12): 2218-24.
 
[31]  Aibibula W., Cox J., Hamelin A.M., Mamiya H., Klein M.B., Brassard P. (2016). Food insecurity and low CD4 count among HIV-infected people: a systematic review and meta-analysis. AIDS Care. 28(12): 1577-85.
 
[32]  Kirkpatrick S.I., Dodd K.W., Parsons R., Ng C., Garriguet D., Tarasuk V. (2015). Household Food Insecurity Is a Stronger Marker of Adequacy of Nutrient Intakes among Canadian Compared to American Youth and Adults. J Nutr. 145(7): 1596-603.
 
[33]  Tarasuk V. (2001).A critical examination of community-based responses to household food insecurity in Canada. Health Educ Behav. 28(4): 487-99.
 
[34]  Roncarolo F., Bisset S., Potvin L. (2016). Short-Term Effects of Traditional and Alternative Community Interventions to Address Food Insecurity. PLoS One. 11(3): e0150250.
 
[35]  Raine K., Mclntyre L., Dayle B.J. (2010). The failure of charitable school- and community-based nutrition programmes to feed hungry children.Critical Public Health. 13(2): 155-169.
 
[36]  Hamelin A.M., Mercier C., Bédard A.(2010). Discrepancies in households and other stakeholders viewpoints on the food security experience: a gap to address. Health Educ Res. 25(3): 401-12.
 
[37]  Tarasuk V., Eakin J.M.(2003). Charitable food assistance as symbolic gesture: an ethnographic study of food banks in Ontario. Soc Sci Med. 56(7): 1505-15.
 
[38]  Idzerda L., Gariépy G., Corrin T., Tarasuk V., McIntyre L., Neil-Sztramko S., et al. (2022).What is known about the prevalence of household food insecurity in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review. Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can. 42(5): 177-87.
 
[39]  Ling J., Duren P., Robbins L.B. (2022).Food Insecurity and Mental Well-Being Among Low-Income Families During COVID-19 Pandemic. Am J Health Promot. 36(7): 1123-32.
 
[40]  Fang D., Thomsen M.R., Nayga R.M., Yang W. (2022). Food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from a survey of low-income Americans. Food Secur. 14(1): 165-83.
 
[41]  Parks C.A., Stern K.L., Fricke H.E., Clausen W., Yaroch A.L. (2020). Healthy Food Incentive Programs: Findings From Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Programs Across the United States. Health Promot Pract. 21(3): 421-9.
 
[42]  Savoie-Roskos M., Durward C., Jeweks M., LeBlanc H. (2016). Reducing Food Insecurity and Improving Fruit and Vegetable Intake Among Farmers' Market Incentive Program Participants. J Nutr Educ Behav. 48(1): 70-6.e1.
 
[43]  Young C., Karpyn A., Uy N., Wich K., Glyn J. (2011). Farmers’ markets in low income communities: impact of community environment, food programs and public policy. Community Devlopment. 42(2): 208-202.
 
[44]  Kantor L.S. (2001). Community food security programs improve food access. National Food Review. 24(1).
 
[45]  Feagan R., Morris D., Krug K. (2004). Niagara region farmers’ markets: local food systems and sustainability considerations.The International Journal of Justice and Sustainability. 9(3): 235-54.
 
[46]  Tarasuk V., Fafard St-Germain A.A., & Loopstra R. (2019). The Relationship Between Food Banks and Food Insecurity: Insights from Canada. Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations.
 
[47]  Garthwaite K. (2016).Stigma shame and 'people like us': an ethnographic study of foodbank use in the UK. Journal of Poverty and Social Justice. 24(3): 277-289.
 
[48]  Statistics Canada. Canadian Community Health Survey: Household food insecurity in Canada, 2017/2018; Statistics Canada; 2020. Available from: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/200218/ dq200218e-eng.htm.
 
[49]  Statistics Canada. Canadian Income Survey, 2020. Statistics Canada; Ottawa, ON, Canada : 2022. Available from: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/220323/dq220323a-eng.htm.
 
[50]  Tarasuk V., Mitchell A., Dachner N. (2016). Household food insecurity in Canada, 2014. Toronto: Research to identify policy options to reduce food insecurity (PROOF). 2016. Available from: http://proof.utoronto.ca.
 
[51]  Eisenmann J.C., Gundersen C., Lohman B.J., Garasky S., Stewart S.D. (2011). Is food insecurity related to overweight and obesity in children and adolescents? A summary of studies, 1995-2009. Obes Rev. 12(5): e73-83.
 
[52]  Williams P.L., Macaulay R.B., Anderson K.B., Doris E.G., Christine P.J., Lynn L.L., et al. (2012).“I Would Have Never Thought That I Would Be in Such a Predicament”: Voices From Women Experiencing Food Insecurity in Nova Scotia, Canada.Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition. 7(2-3): 253-270.
 
[53]  Bi H., Gan Y., Yang C., Chen Y., Tong X., Lu Z. (2015). Breakfast skipping and the risk of type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis of observational studies. Public Health Nutr. 18(16): 3013-9.
 
[54]  Arenas D.J., Thomas A., Wang J., DeLisser H.M. (2019) A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Depression, Anxiety, and Sleep Disorders in US Adults with Food Insecurity. J Gen Intern Med. 34(12): 2874-82.
 
[55]  Weaver J.L., Fasel B.C. (2018). A Systematic Review of the Literature on the Relationships between Chronic Diseases and Food Insecurity. Food and Nutrition Sciences. 9(5): 519-541.
 
[56]  McIntyre L., Bartoo A.C., Emery J.C. (2014). When working is not enough: food insecurity in the Canadian labour force. Public Health Nutr. 17(1): 49-57.
 
[57]  McIntyre L., Walsh G., Connor S.K. A Follow-up Study of Child Hunger in Canada. Ottawa, Ontario: Human Resources Development Canada; 2002. 44 p. Report No.: W-01-1-2E. Available from: publications.gc.ca/pub?id=9.558115&sl=0.
 
[58]  Depaulo B. (2021). The Single People Least Likely to Get the Help They Need. Living Single. HEALTH. Available from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/living-single/202101/the-single-people-least-likely-get-the-help-they-need?eml.
 
[59]  Zaslow M., Bronte-Tinkew J., Capps R., Horowitz A., Moore K.A., Weinstein D. (2009). Food security during infancy: implications for attachment and mental proficiency in toddlerhood. Matern Child Health J. 13(1): 66-80.
 
[60]  Monzani A., Ricotti R., Caputo M., Solito A., Archero F., Bellone S., et al. (2019). A Systematic Review of the Association of Skipping Breakfast with Weight and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Children and Adolescents. What Should We Better Investigate in the Future? Nutrients.11(2).
 
[61]  Lioret S., Campbell K.J., McNaughton S.A., Cameron A.J., Salmon J., Abbott G., et al. (2020). Lifestyle Patterns Begin in Early Childhood, Persist and Are Socioeconomically Patterned, Confirming the Importance of Early Life Interventions. Nutrients. 12(3).
 
[62]  Drennen C.R., Coleman S.M., Ettinger de Cuba S., Frank D.A., Chilton M., Cook J.T., et al. (2019).Food Insecurity, Health, and Development in Children Under Age Four Years. Pediatrics. 144(4).
 
[63]  Cook J.T., Frank D.A.(2008).Food security, poverty, and human development in the United States. Ann N Y Acad Sci.1136:193-209.
 
[64]  Black M. B. (2012). Household food insecurities: Threats to children’s well-being. American Psychological. Association.
 
[65]  Bradley R.H., Corwyn R.F. (2002).Socioeconomic status and child development. Annu Rev Psychol. 53: 371-99.
 
[66]  Tarasuk V., Cheng J., Gundersen C., de Oliveira C., Kurdyak P. (2018). The Relation between Food Insecurity and Mental Health Care Service Utilization in Ontario. Can J Psychiatry. 63(8): 557-69.
 
[67]  Bazerghi C., McKay F.H., Dunn M. (2016). The Role of Food Banks in Addressing Food Insecurity: A Systematic Review. J Community Health. 41(4): 732-40.
 
[68]  Handforth B., Hennink M., Schwartz M.B. (2013).A qualitative study of nutrition-based initiatives at selected food banks in the feeding America network. J Acad Nutr Diet. 113(3): 411-5.
 
[69]  Purdam K., Garratt E.A., Esmail A. (2016).Hungry? Food Insecurity, Social Stigma and Embarrassment in the UK.Sage journals. 50(6): 1072-1088.
 
[70]  Akobundu U.O., Cohen N.L., Laus M.J., Schulte M.J., Soussloff M.N. (2004). Vitamins A and C, calcium, fruit, and dairy products are limited in food pantries. J Am Diet Assoc. 104(5): 811-3.
 
[71]  Jacobs Starkey L., Kuhnlein H.V. (2000). Montreal Food Bank Users' Intakes Compared With Recommendations of Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating. Can J Diet Pract Res. 61(2): 73-5.
 
[72]  O'Reilly S., O'Shea T., Bhusumane S. (2012).Nutritional vulnerability seen within asylum seekers in Australia. J Immigr Minor Health. 14(2): 356-60.
 
[73]  Flynn M.M., Reinert S., Schiff A.R.(2013).A Six-Week Cooking Program of Plant-Based Recipes Improves Food Security, Body Weight, and Food Purchases for Food Pantry Clients. Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition. 8(1): 73-84.
 
[74]  Tarasuk V., Vogt J.(2009). Household food insecurity in Ontario. Can J Public Health. 100(3): 184-8.