Exploring food security among recently resettled Syrian refugees: results from a qualitative study in two Canadian cities

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to provide a qualitative in-depth account of the status and experience of food insecurity for Syrian refugee households in Toronto and Saskatoon, Canada. The study considers the range of geographic, socio-economic, cultural and gendered components shaping and determining the barriers and management of food insecurity. Design/methodology/approach The study included 54 semi-structured interviews with refugee families in Toronto and Saskatoon who resettled in Canada after November 2015. In addition, 15 semi-structured in-person or telephone interviews were conducted with settlement and support agencies to measure their capacity to respond to issues of food insecurity for Syrian refugees. Findings Syrian refugees reported experiencing food insecurity as part of the broader resettlement journey, including in the transitional phase of refuge and in each settlement context in Canada. Income status in Canada was reported as a key barrier to food security. Low-income barriers to food security were experienced and shaped by factors including food affordability, physical access and availability and the extent of familial or other support networks including sponsorship relationships. Participants also reported how managing food insecurity contributed to the intensification of gender expectations. Originality/value The analysis reveals food insecurity as both an income and non-income based concern for refugees during the process of resettlement. The study also highlights the importance of considering variations between primary barriers to food security identified by Syrian families and key informants as critical to the development of strategies designed to mitigate the impacts of resettlement on food security.

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

“…Finally, a total of sixty-eight articles were eligible for inclusion. Out of sixty-eight articles, the vast majority (forty five) studied populations living in the USA ; ten were based in Canada (70)(71)(72)(73)(74)(75)(76)(77)(78)(79) , seven from Australia (80)(81)(82)(83)(84)(85)(86) , three from the UK (87)(88)(89) , one from Switzerland (90) , one from Norway (2) and one from the Netherlands (91) . The immigrant groups were from Asia, Africa, Middle East, South and Central America and the Caribbean.…”

“…Employment: working multiple jobs and have limited time for meal planning or grocery shopping. Vatanparast et al, 2020 (78) To provide a qualitative in-depth account of the status and experience of food insecurity for Syrian refugee households in Toronto and Saskatoon, Canada. Inconvenient locations and distance to grocery stores in host country.…”

“…In larger cities and places where immigrants had resided over a longer period, it was easier to access cultural foods (2,84) and for early arrivals from different ethnic groups it was more of a struggle (2) . Accessing halal foods in order to eat according to Islamic religious principles was essential for Muslim immigrants (78,91) . Moreover, the articles referred to an increased availability of cultural including halal foods over time (2,85,86,91) .…”

“…Culturally specific foods were also considered more expensive (28,40,53,57,58,63,(73)(74)(75)(76)78,80,81,84,85) , particularly in places where there was a low presence of these foods (84) . Even though halal stores were considered trustworthy, they were too expensive to rely on for all food purchases (78) . For Muslim immigrants, the price of halal and non-halal foods influenced the type, quantity, quality and nutritional value of foods acquired (78) .…”

“…Even though halal stores were considered trustworthy, they were too expensive to rely on for all food purchases (78) . For Muslim immigrants, the price of halal and non-halal foods influenced the type, quantity, quality and nutritional value of foods acquired (78) . In addition, fruits and vegetables (and ethnic foods in some cases), were more expensive in local food stores in walkable areas and cheaper in larger stores, further away, requiring transport (29,46,47,50,54,56,61,76,81) .…”