title: Review of Food and Nutrition Services Provided by Community-based Organizations Serving People with HIV in Canada.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the status of food and nutrition programming in community-based HIV organizations in Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  A telephone survey was administered to 80 community-based HIV organizations asking about characteristics of food and nutrition programs and the perceived program gaps.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of organizations had programs directed at improving food access through meals, food banks, community kitchens or cooking classes, food vouchers, gardens, and street vans. Almost half of the organizations (n = 39) provided nutrition counselling by a registered dietitian or nurse, and the majority also provided referrals to other food and nutrition services in the community. Most organizations would like to have more food-related programming, including: more frequent provision of nutritious and fresh food options, methods to make better use of available food, transportation and grocery vouchers, more staff dedicated to food programs, and improved food preparation and storage infrastructure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although community-based HIV organizations provide a range of food and nutrition programs, they face challenges due to inadequate resources. Decision makers should provide more funding for these programs; however, they must be augmented with other supports such as adequate housing, income, and addiction counselling. Dietitians can help organizations maximize the impact of their limited resources and can advocate for systemic changes to enhance determinants of health for people living with HIV.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Human Nutritional Sciences, Faculty Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB.
authors.forename: Joyce
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Slater
authors.affiliation: a Department of Human Nutritional Sciences, Faculty Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB.
authors.forename: Zeeshan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Qadar
authors.affiliation: a Department of Human Nutritional Sciences, Faculty Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bewza
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D063105:Food Assistance / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005522:Food Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005523:Food Supply; D015658:HIV Infections; D006801:Humans; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires