title: Evaluation of a collective kitchens program: using the Population Health Promotion Model.
abstract: To evaluate the impact of the Calgary Health Region Collective Kitchen Program on various Population Health Promotion Model health determinants, data were collected through mail-in questionnaires that examined the members' (n=331) and coordinators' (n=58) perspectives of the program. Seventy-nine members (24%) and 26 coordinators (45%) were included in the study. Three incomplete questionnaires (from prenatal program members) were discarded. Sixty-one percent of members who reported income level and family size (n=61) had incomes below the low-income cut-off. Fifty-eight members (73%) reported improvements in their lives because of the program. Sixty-four members (81%) perceived they learned to feed their families healthier foods. The members reported their fruit and vegetable consumption before and since joining a collective kitchen, and the proportion of those consuming at least five fruit and vegetable servings a day rose from 29% to 47%. The most common reasons for joining this program concerned social interactions and support. Over 90% of the coordinators perceived that they were competent to coordinate a kitchen. The results indicate that the collective kitchens program addresses several health determinants, and may increase members' capacity to attain food security and to achieve improved nutritional health.
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Nutrition and Active Living, Calgary Health Region, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Tara J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Fano
authors.forename: Sheila M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Tyminski
authors.forename: Mary A T
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Flynn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000416:Alberta; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D003258:Consumer Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D005522:Food Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012932:Social Facilitation; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires