Assessing Foodbank Welfare Agency in Terms of Food Sociology - Case Study Example

Running head: FOOD AND HEALTH Assessing Foodbank Welfare Agency in Terms of Food Sociology Name Course Information Professor Information Date Due Introduction This paper intends to analyze social aspect of food by examining the society and choices made by individuals. The first section will discuss categories of people who access Foodbank Australia, a hunger relief organization established in 1992 in New South Wales. As a non-profit organization, it has managed to register its presence in all Australian states. Foodbank links charity organizations to manufacturers who have surpluses in their stores. The second section is an indebt assessment of reasons that drive people to access Foodbank. These drivers are mainly socio-economic in nature. This segment will be followed by an outline of programs managed by Foodbank intended to improve access to food. Additionally, the essay will compare personal priorities about food against priorities held by those utilizing Foodbank agency. People accessing Foodbank According to an annual report by Foodbank Australia (2012), Australia has encountered an increase in demand for hunger relief, with greater demand coming from low-income earners and single parents. Staples and long life products were mostly demanded. The report asserts that a monthly average of 219 people was assisted by each welfare agency in Australia compared against a demand for assistance of 316 people (Foodbank Australia, p. 13). This confirms existence of gap between demand for assistance and the capacity of agencies to deliver assistance. Those who sort assistance mainly comprised of low-income families, unemployed and single parent families as shown in appendix A. Foodbank Australia (p. 14) further reiterates that demand for agency services across the different clients have increased. Low-income category led in the demand for food aid followed by unemployed and single parent homes. In terms of ranking provision of food aid, agencies gave more attention to low income families followed by unemployed and single parent families. Food demanded by clients Food parcels and meals taken while within the site were provided (Foodbank Australia, p. 15). Appendix B shows that food parcels were mainly provided by the agency. This class of food is a reflection of major groups assisted by welfare agencies i.e. low-income families, unemployed, and single parents. These groups demanded for supplies to prepare their own food hence do not require ready foodstuff. On the other hand, mentally ill patients and homeless people were given food to be consumed on site. Overly, bread, milk, grains, fruits, and vegetables, which makes up staples registered higher demand compared with frozen and confectionary. Reasons for accessing the agency Hunger is the main factor driving people to access welfare agencies. Notwithstanding the fact that Australia has registered economic growth in the past 20 years, 25% of Australians are able to access less economic resources while about 10% thrive in abject poverty (ABS, 2012a). Furthermore, low-income groups had more members in their households in comparison with high-income earners. As a result, they were more likely to require assistance. Escalation of price of food, health, education and other basic amenities have exposed not only the homeless but also the aged and single parents to uncertainties. Consequently, these groups have been forced to seek for charities and other forms of aids. The second factor forming the basis for accessing Foodbank is homelessness. ABS (2012b) statistics shows that 49 in every 10,000 people were homeless in census done in 2011. In total, 105,237 people making up 0.5% of Australian population were homeless during the 2011 Census (ABS, 2012b, n. p). This indicated an 8% increases in homelessness rate when compared with 2006 statistics. The rise in homeless population was attributed to an increase in number of people in very crowded places such as the Northern Territory. This was contrasted with Tasmania, which recorded a low population. It is apparent that the homeless people access Foodbank for food services since they cannot afford to purchase food items. The aged, victims of abuse and substance abuse, and children are increasingly seeking assistance from Foodbank and other welfare agencies. These groups are susceptible to socio-economic turmoil thus find themselves calling for help. People with mental illness and those who are physically challenged are at a risk of hunger and must seek for assistance from Foodbank. To cater for increased hunger in the society, Foodbank gathers excess foods and groceries held by different manufacturers, retailers, and farmers around the country. Besides, Foodbank receives foodstuffs that would have otherwise been discarded by manufacturer because of errors such as incorrect specification and labeling, damaged packaging, and other faults noted along production, packaging, and distribution of food materials. Programs to improve access to food Through community-based organizations, Foodbank is able to reach individuals and families in many states. More than 2500 community based organizations and 600 schools are supported by Foodbank. Donations received from different companies have also contributed to supplies in Foodbank. The agency estimated that 24 million kilograms of food and groceries were donations from donors (Foodbank Australia, 2013). In recognition of the fact that demand and supply for nutritious meals are not at equilibrium, Foodbank has formed a collaborative program intended to bring together food producers and manufacturers to produce, process, and package vital foodstuff. The outcome of collaborative approach is an increased supply of required food. An example of collaborative supply program is production of pasta. Various companies donate inputs. Financial assistance received from financial donors plays a critical role in producing enough pasta to quell hunger. Besides food rescue program, Foodbank runs food drive with an objective of escalating the supply of non-perishable items including meals in cans, rice, and cereals. It is the intention of Foodbank to develop programs that culminate into realization of targeted 50 million kilograms of food. Foodbank is not only working hard to increase access to food but also ensuring that the supplied food is rich nutritionally. This is in acknowledgement of the fact that hunger is managed effectively by nutritious foods that realizes growth and good health. Failure to eat nutritious food exposes an individual to heat diseases, diabetes, and several other food related illness. Foodbank has been striving to ensure that supplies attain required nutritional profile. This intention to supply nutritious food has been reinforced by a program targeting fresh food such as fruits, vegetables, and milk. In the past, Foodbank concentrated on dry food mainly because of the ease of accessing and storing such food. It is also important to note that Foodbank collaborated with donors and member agencies in emphasizing the need for health food with a view of improving general health of the society. Priorities of clients served The disadvantaged in society are not in a position to choose types of food they would like to consume. Their priority is to access any food. This is a contrast to the rich and wealthy in society who can choose food they want to consume. As a result, Foodbank has committed to supply nutritious food, which would result in healthy living. By collaborating with producers, Foodbank is focused on availing a range of choices to clients. This has reduced obstacles to accessing nutritious foods. Clients understand that inability to consume nutritious food leads to morbidity. Children are often the victims of unhealthy diet given that they are exposed to developmental and growth problems as a consequence, unable to actualize their dreams. Programs to assist clients In addition to providing food to suppress hunger, Foodbank disseminates skills that would assist clients gain an understanding of choice of foods. Foodbank of Western Australia operates programs such as School Breakfast Program, Food Sensations Program, and Choose to Move (Foodbank WA, 2013). School Breakfast Program is a program intended to supply children with quality breakfast. Schools that have registered for this program are not charged so that students are equally able to receive regularly nutrition rich breakfast. Some of these supplied products are UHT milk and oats in addition to fresh fruits and vegetables. This program receives immense support from government and corporate bodies. The School Breakfast Program has culminated into improved physical health, social relations, mental health, and high academic performance (Koshy, 2007). Food Sensations program was formulated to impart knowledge on nutrition and how different foods can be purchased and prepared. Some of the topics addressed by Food Sensations programs are basic nutrition principles, food budgeting, and preparation and cooking skills. Students, adults, and other members of the society are provided with resources that aid their acquisition of knowledge. The third initiative is Choose to Move developed by Foodbank Western Australia’s Healthy Food for All program (Foodbank Australia, 2011). Children aged between four and seven years are subjected to physical activity within the school. Both structured lessons and unstructured plays are factored into school programs. In the end, children participate in increased physical activity. Schools that pursue this program are normally supplied with sporting equipments. Teachers are also given manuals and motivated to take part in training programs managed by Department of Education. Schedule of this training is posted on Department of Education website. Conclusion This paper began by classifying people who access Foodbank welfare agency in Australia. Foodbank is among the numerous welfare agencies formulated to end hunger in the region. The agency is present in all Australian states. Foodbank has gone beyond providing food to equip clients with skills on healthy eating and living. This is visible in different programs provided through Health Food for All program. The essay also discussed why people access Foodbank. It emerged that socio-economic factors mainly motivate people to seek for assistance. References ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics). (2012a). 4102.0 - Australian Social Trends, March Quarter 2012. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia. ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics). (2012b). 2049.0 - Census of Population and Housing: Estimating homelessness, 2011. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia. Foodbank Australia. (2011). End Hunger Annual Report 2010-2011. Retrieved from http://www.foodbanksa.com.au/site/DefaultSite/filesystem/documents/Financial% 20Reports/Annual%20Report%202010-11_b%20%28web%29.pdf. Foodbank Australia. (2012) End Hunger Report 2012. Retrieved from http://www.foodbank.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/End-Hunger-in- Australia.pdf. Foodbank WA. (2013). Healthy Food for All. Retrieved from http://www.healthyfoodforall.com.au/choose-to-move/. Foodbank Australia. (2013). An Australia Without Hunger. Retrieved from http://www.foodbank.org.au/about-us/how-we-work/. Koshy, P. (2007). An Economic and Social Impact Assessment of Foodbank WA. Retrieved from http://www.phaii.org/uploads/publications/Food%20Report%20Australia.pdf. Appendices Appendix A: Client Groups Assisted Source: Foodbank Australia (2012, p. 13). Appendix B: Types of Foods Accessed Source: Foodbank Australia (2012, p. 16). Read More