Stakeholder-informed considerations for a food poverty definition

Purpose A number of food poverty definitions have been identified by academics and various government organisations globally; however, there exists no government-endorsed definition of food poverty in the United Kingdom (UK), and there remains a gap regarding how relevant current food poverty definitions are in the Northern Ireland (NI)/UK contexts. Design/methodology/approach Interviews (n = 19) with a range of stakeholders (e.g. policymakers, politicians, community advice centre workers, consumer sub-group representatives, food bank and food redistribution organisation representatives) were conducted to examine (1) the usefulness of a food poverty definition, (2) what a food poverty definition should include and (3) the applicability of an existing definition (Radimeret al., 1992) in the NI/UK context. Data was thematically analysed using QSR NVivo (v.12). Findings Definition was considered important to increase awareness and understanding. Any consideration of revising the Radimeret al.(1992) definition, or of establishing a new standardised definition, should seek to reduce/remove ambiguity and subjectivity of terminology used (i.e. more clearly defining what the terms adequate, sufficient, quality and socially acceptable ways mean in this context). Practical implications This research emphasises the importance of appropriately conceptually defining social phenomena such as food poverty, as a first step to constructing and reviewing measurement approaches and ultimately assessing predictors and recommending solutions. Originality/value This research addresses the gap relating to stakeholders' opinion on food poverty definition and contributes recommendations for modifying the Radimeret al.(1992) definition in the NI/UK and present-day contexts.

Automated summary

This research emphasizes the importance of conceptually defining social phenomena such as food poverty and suggests revising the existing definition to reduce ambiguity and subjectivity. Stakeholders believe that defining food poverty is crucial for increasing awareness and understanding of the issue.