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The food (in)security and mental health nexus in high-risk immigrant populations in middle- and high-income countries: A scoping review TRS1 1.2 University of Alberta Publication 2025-01-01 TRS1 1.2 Exploring neighborhood transformations and community gardens to meet the cultural food needs of immigrants and refugees: A scoping review TRS3 1.3 University of Alberta Publication 2025-01-01 TRS3 1.3 Growing roots: the role of collective community gardening in cultural food insecurity and social integration of African immigrants in Alberta, Canada In western countries such as Canada, immigrants are experiencing cultural food insecurity - that is the inability to acquire, afford, and access one' ethnic foods and community gardens have emerged as potential area for addressing cultural food insecurity. However, limited knowledge exists on the role of collective community gardens in addressing the cultural food needs of immigrant communities. We conducted a community-based participatory research (CBPR) informed by an Afrocentric lens using quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. Data collection involved an online survey (n = 119) which was co-developed and co-administered with our community partners- Sinkunia Community Development Organization (SCDO). Semi-structured, in-depth interviews (IDI) were also conducted with purposefully sampled participants (n = 10) to obtain nuanced narratives. This study included Black identifying African immigrants from sub-Saharan countries. High prevalence of food insecurity (75.6%) was observed in the survey participants, higher than the general Canadian household prevalence rate. Participants recalled experiencing food insecurity ranging from mild (39.5%) to moderate (26.1%) and severe (10.1%) food insecurity. High prevalence of cultural food insecurity (80.7%) was also observed with most participants reporting some level of deprivation of cultural foods. However, participants demonstrated resilience and adaptability in maintaining their cultural food-ways amid these challenges. Collective community gardens allowed immigrant communities to: (a) cultivate connections through food production ('seeds of sovereignty'); (b) build intergenerational bridges ('seeds of identity'); (c) grow together across generations; and (d) grow strong to embody health and wellbeing. The findings contribute to a growing body of evidence on the embodied benefits of community gardens for food security and social place-making of immigrant populations. High interest and engagement in gardening activities in the population suggests potential for expansion of community-led initiatives to support social and cultural integration of immigrant. This is important to Alberta's and to Canada's current and future sustainable economic and social growth. University of Alberta Publication 2025-07-02 Barriers and Facilitators to Engagement in Collective Gardening Among Black African Immigrants in Alberta, Canada Background: Community gardens are increasingly popular in Canadian cities, serving as transformative spaces where immigrants can develop self-reliant strategies for accessing culturally familiar and healthy nutritious foods. However, numerous facilitators and barriers exist that limit the engagement of racialized groups such as Black-identifying immigrants. Using a socio-ecological framework, this research explores barriers and facilitators of engagement of Black African immigrants in collective community gardening in Alberta, Canada. Methods: The study adopted a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach using mixed methods. Data collection included structured surveys (n = 119) to assess general engagement, facilitators, and barriers; in-depth interviews (n = 10) to explore lived experiences; and Afrocentric sharing circles (n = 2) to probe collective perspectives in relation to engagement in collective gardening. Participants were purposefully recruited through community networks within African immigrant-serving community organizations. Results: Our findings revealed how barriers at various levels of the socio-ecological model (SEM) interact to shape the interest and engagement of African immigrants in collective community gardening. Access to collective gardens was associated with significant benefits, including maintaining healthy foodways, knowledge exchange, growing social capital, and community connections that support overall wellbeing. Conclusions: This study contributes an accessible framework for understanding and addressing the complex barriers that limit engagement in community gardens for vulnerable communities, while highlighting opportunities for creating more inclusive and culturally responsive urban agriculture initiatives. University of Alberta Publication 2025-05-16 Growing Roots: The role of collective community gardening in cultural food insecurity and social integration of African Immigrants in Edmonton, AB Abstract Background: Food insecurity is a public health challenge that has worsened with increasing cost of living due to inflation and the COVID-19 aftermath. Social and economic inequalities have deepened as communities on the margins especially immigrants experience increased inequities in accessing basic amenities such as housing and food. In Canada, immigrants are experiencing financial and cultural food insecurity. However, limited knowledge exists on the role of collective community gardens in addressing these aspects of food insecurity. Methods: We conducted a community-based participatory research (CBPR) informed by an Afrocentric lens using quantitative and qualitative research methods. Data collection involved an online survey (n=119) which was co-developed and co-administered by our community partners - Sinkunia Community Development Organization (SCDO). The questionnaires were pre-tested with a subsample of community members to ensure reliability and validity of the tool. Semi-structured, open-ended interviews were also conducted with purposefully sampled participants (n=10) to obtain nuanced narratives. This study included Black African immigrants from 13 sub-Saharan countries. Individuals from Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Côte D’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda and Zimbabwe are represented in the sample. Results: High prevalence of food insecurity (75.6%, n=90) was observed in the sample (n=119), higher than the general Canadian household prevalence rate. Participants recalled experiencing food insecurity ranging from mild (39.5%, n=47) to moderate (26.1%, n=31), and severe (10.1%, n=12) food insecurity in the recall period. High prevalence of cultural food insecurity was also observed, most (80.7%, n=96) of participants reported experiencing deprivation. Participants reported occasional struggles accessing cultural food, primarily due to high costs, limited availability, and worries about the quality. Participants demonstrated resilience and adaptability in maintaining their cultural foodways amid these challenges. About 4 in 5 participants engaged in some form of gardening. Engagement in collective community gardening provided spaces for cultivating connections to food production and shaping Black immigrant individuals’ relationship with the food environment. These “third spaces” serve as cultural melting pots with collective work fostering both intercultural and intergenerational bridges through embedding cultural foodways into children’s everyday experiences. Conclusion: Food insecurity remains a critical issue for Black immigrants in Edmonton, Alberta who are experiencing elevated risk. Our findings contribute to a growing body of evidence on the embodied benefits of community gardens for food security and social placemaking of immigrant populations. High interest and engagement in gardening activities in the population suggests potential for expansion of community-led initiatives. University of AlbertaPublication 2024-11-28
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