Impact of the Social Café Meals program: a qualitative investigation
Louise Allen A B E , Jacklin O’Connor A E , Emily Amezdroz A , Pieta Bucello A , Hannah Mitchell A , Arabella Thomas A , Sue Kleve B , Anthony Bernardi B , Liza Wallis C and Claire Palermo A D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Monash University, Level 1, 264 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill, Vic. 3168, Australia.
B IE Health, Inner East Community Health, 378 Burwood Road, Hawthorn, Vic. 3122, Australia.
C Inner South Community Health Service, 341 Coventry Street, South Melbourne, Vic. 3205, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: claire.palermo@monash.edu
E These authors contributed equally to this work.
Australian Journal of Primary Health 20(1) 79-84 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY12102
Submitted: 17 August 2012 Accepted: 14 November 2012 Published: 20 December 2012
Abstract
Social Café Meals Programs aim to reduce food insecurity and social exclusion by providing participants access to subsidised meals in mainstream local cafés. This study aimed to explore the program’s ability to address social exclusion and food insecurity and the impact of the program on the community. A qualitative evaluation approach was utilised whereby in-depth interviews were conducted with café owners, café staff and current program members of two Social Café Meals Programs operating in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Twelve program members and six café staff completed an in-depth interview at the local cafés. Data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach focusing on the lived experience of the café owners, staff and program members. Four key themes were identified. The program (i) improved food access for vulnerable groups and (ii) created community cohesiveness. (iii) The café environment was important in facilitating program use by community members. (iv) Café owners felt rewarded for their community contribution via the program. Social Café Meals Programs may provide a solution to improving food security and reducing social exclusion and may be considered as a strategy for improving nutrition and social health for at-risk and vulnerable groups.
Additional keywords: corporate social responsibility, food relief, food security, social exclusion.
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