ABSTRACT
In 2018, a “Blue Apron type” meal kit for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was announced. Like many food initiatives, there was no input from the intended audience. In contrast, we used community-based research (CBR, n = 65) to design a meal kit for families with low income. However, we were unable to separate our approach from the dominant framework, hegemonic nutrition, predominantly led by white experts. We center the voices of Black women whose role in the initiative were otherwise limited. Food reformers using CBR ought to interrogate hegemonic nutrition as “community” is not inherently transformative.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to John Harvey, who helped initiate the project, the Hunger Institute at Auburn University, who supported the project and provided volunteers to build the meal kits for the pilot, and Harvey’s employees, who assisted during the pilot, and which would not have been possible without them. Finally, we thank the women who participated and challenged us to think more deeply about community and food reform.
Disclosure Statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Data availability statement
The lead author has full access to all available data that is reported in this paper. These data are protected according to the policies set by the Auburn University Office of Human Research (IRB #17–245).
Notes
1. This project was approved by the Auburn University Office of Human Research (IRB #17–245). Pseudonyms are used for all names and locations to protect participants’ identities.
2. In its entirety, the meal kit project included more than of 90 people, including the initial reconnaissance and production (e.g., graphic designer).
3. Head Start (HS) is an early childhood learning services program for families with low income Office of Head Start Citation85.