title: Impact of the Social Café Meals program: a qualitative investigation.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Monash University, Level 1, 264 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill, Vic. 3168, Australia.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Monash University, Level 1, 264 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill, Vic. 3168, Australia.
authors.forename: Jacklin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Monash University, Level 1, 264 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill, Vic. 3168, Australia.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Amezdroz
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Monash University, Level 1, 264 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill, Vic. 3168, Australia.
authors.forename: Pieta
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bucello
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Monash University, Level 1, 264 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill, Vic. 3168, Australia.
authors.forename: Hannah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Monash University, Level 1, 264 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill, Vic. 3168, Australia.
authors.forename: Arabella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: IE Health, Inner East Community Health, 378 Burwood Road, Hawthorn, Vic. 3122, Australia.
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kleve
authors.affiliation: IE Health, Inner East Community Health, 378 Burwood Road, Hawthorn, Vic. 3122, Australia.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bernardi
authors.affiliation: Inner South Community Health Service, 341 Coventry Street, South Melbourne, Vic. 3205, Australia.
authors.forename: Liza
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wallis
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Monash University, Level 1, 264 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill, Vic. 3168, Australia.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Palermo
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D005523:Food Supply / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012147:Restaurants; D012934:Social Isolation; D012944:Social Support