Grown at Home Is Always Better: Exploring Latina Mothers’ Cultural Food Practices

Abstract

Background

Oregon State University Extension Service implements the Federally funded SNAP-Ed and EFNEP programs throughout Oregon. For nearly 20 years these programs have been operationalized as, “Las Comidas Latinas” to provided cultural nutrition education for Latinx communities. Although food insecurity continues to be a systemic challenge for these families, our work centers the strengths of the Latinx families to maintain cultural food practices.

Objective

The present mixed methods study examined the types of foods that Latina mothers kept in their homes to promote healthy eating and their preference around growing food.

Study Design, Settings, Participants

Participants were mothers aged 18 years and older, identified as Latina, and lived in two counties in Oregon. A total of 101 mothers participated in structured surveys, and 31 participated in follow-up interviews qualitative interviews to explore their food preferences and experiences with personal food production.

Results

Results indicate that when asked about they types of foods they kept in their homes, 84% of mothers indicated having fruits always or the majority of the time, 85% indicated having vegetables always or the majority, and only 25% indicated having unhealthy foods (eg, chips) always or the majority of the time in their home. Additionally, 41% of mothers indicated growing their own food. For those who indicated not growing their own food, the 59% indicated no access to land as the reason, followed by not enough knowledge (33%), and lack of resources (26%). Similarly, qualitative findings indicate strong preference for fresh and home-grown food. The practice of growing their own food was common in their home countries, but as mothers immigrated to the U.S, they were unable to do grow their own food, because of space, time, or were not allowed to grow their own foods in their current residence.

Conclusions

Maintaining cultural food practices such as grown food at home can help support Latina mothers’ efforts to promote health eating and reduce food insecurity.

Funding

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education, Linn-Benton-Lincoln Health Equity Alliance