The current paper provides a critical review of food environments’ literature, with a focus on the metaphoric typology that has been developed over recent decades. This has tended to focus understandably on harmful food environments using well-known metaphors: that of food deserts, food swamps and food mirages. The purpose of the review was to consider the current typology in relation to what constitutes healthy food environments, and the implications for population groups in low socioeconomic environments who are often disadvantaged by current food systems and unhealthy food environments. The paper posits a new term, alongside the notion of the food oasis, that of food havens. Oasis indicates a small place of plenty in a setting of scarcity. Haven extends the boundaries of plenty in society by positing places and settings of refuge and safety, even sanctuary from which health and well-being can be attained and supported. We argue for focusing on creating such sustainable food environments so as to proliferate and promote examples of what needs to be done urgently in the fight to transform global food environments for the health of people particularly those that are vulnerable and the planet. Elements of the food haven as proposed in this paper have been drawn from indigenous perspectives—these include Māori and Pacific worldviews. Future research should consider what food environments might look like in different contexts and how we might move away from food swamps and deserts to food oases and havens; and utilize these positive motifs to go further in creating whole sustainable food environments encompassing all of society.
Background Pacific countries are facing an obesity and non-communicable diseases epidemic, and increased susceptibility to the effects of climate change. Studies attribute this epidemic to low-quality diets, and solutions are usually focused on changing eating patterns. There is a growing appreciation of the role of the global food system in contributing to the epidemic and in the fight against climate change.
Introduction: New Zealand’s early response to Covid-19 ensured the successful elimination of the novel coronavirus, but came with an economic and social toll, particularly among Māori and Pacific communities. Within these communities, young people have experienced higher levels of distress and anxiety. This report gives a synopsis of the YWCA study on the experiences and impacts of COVID-19 as told by young Māori and Pacific women.
Methods: Based on collaborative and empowerment-based methods, the YWCA study followed a Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodology guided by both Kaupapa Māori practices and Pacific Research protocols. In doing so, participants were co-researchers and partners in the research process. The methods of data collection adopted for this study entailed wānanga (forum to deliberate and discuss) and talanoa (narrative style interview). 14 young Māori and Pacific women aged between 18 and 30 took part in a 2-day wānanga and shared stories and experiences living through the pandemic.
Results/Discussion: The YWCA study in partnership with the participants and co-researchers identified three key themes including response, recovery, and resilience. These key themes led to understandings and determinants of well-being for young Māori and Pacific women in New Zealand.
Conclusion: The YWCA study yields findings that relate to experiences of young Māori and Pacific women during the Covid-19 lockdowns of 2020. Determinants of well-being and strategies in supporting young Māori and Pacific women were identified during the research process. The study can be useful in applying a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach through the lens of Māori and Pacific worldviews.
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