Analysis of Food Bank across Texas Counties and Community Food Security
Open Access
Author:
Garcia, Norma
Area of Honors:
Political Science
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Brian H. King, Thesis Supervisor Michael Barth Berkman, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
community food security food banks food security food insecurity program modeling
Abstract:
The issue of food security is one that has been longstanding in society and is well recognized across many disciplines. Previous research has articulated structural causes of food insecurity related to climate change, as well as its implications as both a social and health problem. As food insecurity continues to be a prominent feature of communities across the United States, it is critical that research continues to advance proposals and solutions that reduce levels of hunger, promote greater access to nutritious foods, and alleviate issues of affordability.
Food banks, as a historic feature of food activism and relief, provide an important context by which researchers can gain more knowledge about practices and challenges in improving community food security. Food banks are not only a source of aid, but rather a system in which community food security is being shaped. This paper critically analyzes the function of food banks related to community food security across various Texas counties. In examining available and current programming, food banks are categorized as distributive or participatory. The research seeks to advance knowledge about how both distributive and participatory models affect outcomes for food security to further inform researchers, policymakers, and activists