This project conducted a pilot study of community food provisioning efforts for homeless groups in Toronto in order to develop a conceptual framework for future evaluations of the effectiveness of local responses to the nutrition needs of homeless people. The research team conducted an inventory of programs in Toronto that regularly provide food to homeless people; surveyed active programs through 20-30 minute telephone interviews to assess their composition and connection to similar agencies; conduct key informant interviews with policy makers, program funders, and senior staff at the coordinating agencies that supply programs with donated foodstuffs; conduced an in-depth study of purposive sample of local food provisioning initiatives for homeless youth; ethnographic study with program directors of 3-5 operations; and finally nutritional assessments of the meals provided.
By: Wellesley Institute
On: Jan. 7, 2008
A study of local response to the food and nutrition needs of homeless people
Principal Organizations: University of Toronto – Department of Nutritional Sciences
Partner Organizations: Youthlink Inner City ,Weston-King Drop in Centre ,City of Toronto ,Sherbourne Health Centre ,Dixon Hall ,Fred Victor ,CRC ,Street Health Community Nursing Foundation ,Daily Bread Food Bank ,Second Harvest
Principal Investigator(s): Valerie Tarasuk, Steve Gaetz, Blake Poland
