Food assistance experiences of food-insecure community members in Baton Rouge, Louisiana: A qualitative study

Food insecurity is correlated with a higher probability of numerous chronic diseases. There is a need to understand the challenges of people with food insecurity and their perceptions and use of programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), in addressing food needs. Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted with food-insecure patients within a local regional medical center in Baton Rouge. Through qualitative analysis, we identified two major themes describing food assistance program utilization, including SNAP, and other food behaviors: shortfalls of support systems and adaptive behaviors. This information can contribute to the improvement of successful solutions for food insecurity.