The pilot study aims to investigate the place of fresh garden produce in the food supply and food practices of women in community gardens of deprived neighborhoods of Marseille, reputed to be among the poorest in the European Union. We hypothesized that access to a community garden in these neighborhoods could help instigate the adoption of healthier food patterns by gardeners and their households, and in particular, increase their consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Urban community gardening was explored in terms of (i) food production, (ii) nutrition and economics, and (iii) cultural, social, and symbolic dimensions, by social and nutritional science approaches, involving informative questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and a nutritional and economic analysis of household food supplies.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
21
Household food supply records.
Participants collected food purchase receipts for their household over a one-month period which constituted a detailed record of the quantities of food entering their household. They were asked to save all till receipts for foods consumed at home. To facilitate data collection, participants were given a notebook of food purchases in which they could find step-by-step instructions, example receipts, and, on the last page, an envelope in which to collect the receipts. In case of incomplete or ambiguous printed information regarding the name of the shop, the name of a food, the quantities purchased or the price paid for a food, participants were instructed to write it on the receipt. Expenditure without receipts and food items coming from the garden, or from gifts or social aid services were to be recorded in the notebook. The participants were also requested to ask other household members to keep their till receipts.
Time frame: One-month
Informative questionnaire
An informative questionnaire enabled the characterization of the 21 participants by gender, age, country of birth, number of household members, occupational status of the gardener and household members, and the gardeners' perception of their financial situation. The agronomic part of the questionnaire provided information on garden use (past gardening experience, length of time in the current plot, time working in the garden), production management (choice of crops and cultivation practices, soil knowledge and preparation, seed and plant origins, methods of crop protection, training and learning methods,exchanges with other gardeners), and garden functions as perceived by the gardeners, together with their motivations for gardening.
Time frame: 45 min
Comprehensive interviews
To identify the unique characteristics relative to each gardener, and their aspirations and dietary practices, a comprehensive interview were conducted on 17 participants. The interviews explored three principal themes: (i) personal history and biographical elements related to gardening, (ii) links between gardening activities and food practices (food supply practices, culinary habits and skills, commensality), and (iii) social functions of the garden. Interviews were either audio-taped or recorded in writing, depending on the gardener's consent. Transcripts were analyzed and grouped thematically as prescribed by the interview guidelines. We then selected quotations based on their informative value to best illustrate the dimensions of food practices.
Time frame: 1 hour
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.