Investigating the role of Meals on Wheels Community Services (MOWCS) on food security among older persons in Brooklyn

Abstract

Food insecurity remains a global challenge despite efforts to combat it in all its forms. Africa has the highest prevalence of food insecurity worsened by a deepened poverty affecting mostly children, women and the elderly. However, South Africa is a food secure country and has declared access to healthy food and clean water as a human right. Ironically many remain victims from food insecurity including the elderly. Yet, little is known about the elderly’s experiences with food insecurity, even less is known about interventions that exist to alleviate food insecurity among the elderly. For this reason, this study investigated the role of Meals on Wheels Community Services Centre in the promotion of food security among the elderly in Brooklyn, Cape Town. The study was anchored around the food security framework. The research was conducted using qualitative research methods. A total of 10 individual interviews and one focus group discussion was conducted with beneficiaries from Meals on Wheels Community Services Brooklyn Centre. Moreover, 3 key informant interviews were conducted with staff at Meals on Wheels. The data was transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis methods.