Feeding Families in Tough Times
Feeding Families in Tough Times (FFiTT) is a partnership between academics, families with a lived experience of food insecurity, and key actors in food security including providers of emergency food relief, government agencies, health services, not-for-profit organisations and charities.
Our Approach
Together we co-design research that aims to achieve our key objectives:
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Explore the lived experience of families experiencing food insecurity & create an understanding of the complexities |
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Understand the root causes of poor diet quality in families experiencing hardship |
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Examine pathways in and out of food insecurity |
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Explore interactions with support networks and services |
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Inform policy and services delivery and co-create sustainable solutions |
This research involves 4 key phases
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These phases are outlined in more detail below
Phase 1: Workshops to co-design the project participant engagement strategy, key research questions and methods
As part of Phase 1 we carried out 2 workshops with parents who struggle to pay the bills or put food on the table. In these workshops we discussed the many different steps involved in putting a healthy and nutritious meal on the table, and the difficulties families faced. Parents shared many creative and resourceful ideas about feeding their families under difficult circumstances. We also discussed the different areas in which policy changes are needed to better support families.
In addition, we carried out a workshop with staff and management from key support organisations that work with families who may be experiencing food insecurity. Organisations discussed the different types of families they support and evaluated the extent to which they are able to meet families’ needs. Organisations shared the kind of information needed that would help them to better support families.
Together the workshops informed the key research questions of the program and helped develop a shared language about food insecurity. Based on feedback from parents and support organisations, we developed our recruitment strategy and wording for the following research phases.
Phase 2: Semi-structured interviews
In 2022 we interviewed 43 caregivers of 0-12 year old children who struggled to put food on the table. These interviews set out to explore the lived realities of food insecurity in Queensland and create an understanding of the complexities and possible solutions.
We would like to thank all participating families for their honesty and openness. It was an immense privilege to hear their life stories and learn how they manage under difficult circumstances.
While we spoke to lots of different families from across Queensland, many topics came up repeatedly, for example challenges related to the cost-of-living increase (food, fuel, electricity), housing and rental affordability, domestic and family violence, difficult experiences during the parents’ own childhood, disability/ chronic health problems, navigating welfare payments/NDIS, outstanding child support, social isolation and lack of support, racism and challenges accessing emergency funds and food relief. We gained some insight into how these challenges affect parents and children as well as relationships in the family. While the vast majority of families had experienced traumatic life events, all parents shared stories of tremendous strengths and resourcefulness, creativity and generosity.
Families also suggested a range of solutions and policy changes that will be further explored in Phase 4 of the project.
Detailed analysis of the interview data is currently underway.
Phase 3: Cross-sectional survey of Australian families
An Australia-wide online survey of carers of 2-12 year old children was completed in 2023.
The survey aimed to understand more about what parents need to put food (that is filling and healthy) on the table. Survey questions were informed by the previous research phases and pilot tested with families with a lived experience of food insecurity.
The aim of this study was to learn more about the experiences of Australian families and to better understand the impact of financial hardship on parents and children. This information will help us find out what helps or stops families being able to put healthy food on the table.
The survey asked questions about:
- The family and household
- The household’s financial and living circumstances, including the food situation
- Parental wellbeing and important life events
- Child’s wellbeing, development, behaviour and diet.
All families experience different levels of stress at different times. The survey aimed to investigate protective factors such as family resilience, regular routines or positive parenting practices that may protect children from the impact of stress.
Phase 4: Workshops to co-design a portfolio of solutions to food insecurity
In 2024 we organised a series of workshops with key stakeholders (families with a lived experience of food insecurity, support and relief organisations, charities and government) to co-design a portfolio of solutions based on the research.
Progress
We have gathered a lot of information from families and key stakeholders about the experience of food security, particularly for families experiencing hardship. We are currently analysing what these families and stakeholders have said. We have also held workshops with families and stakeholders to help us decide on sustainable solutions. We will soon share our findings, so please watch this space.If you would like to know more about Feeding Families in Tough Times, please contact Professor Danielle Gallegos at danielle.gallegos@qut.edu.au
