Examining the Underlying Values of Food Security Programming: Implications for the Social Work Profession

Abstract

Incongruities between social work’s professional values and dominant public and private responses to food insecurity are discussed. Empowerment theory is positioned as an evaluative lens to examine food assistance. Summaries of dominant forms of food assistance are provided and scrutinized using basic tenets of empowerment theory. Contrasting examples of innovative programs are also discussed in terms of their potential for empowering outcomes. Highlighted programs, including community gardens, community kitchens, and the food rescue and redistribution program D.C. Central Kitchen, demonstrate the evaluative potential of empowerment theory. Implications for social work research and practice are explored.

KEYWORDS:

• empowerment theory
• food insecurity
• social work core values