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More than Just Not Enough: Experiences of Food Insecurity for Latino Immigrants

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Abstract

Undocumented Latino immigrants often struggle to provide food for their families. In an attempt to inform efforts to create effective programs and policies promoting food security, this study explored the experience of food insecurity for low-income, undocumented Latino immigrants. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 24 undocumented Latino immigrants. Modified grounded theory was used to analyze the interview data. The experience of food insecurity was similar to other groups’ experiences, as it entailed inadequate amount and quality of food. However, immigration and documentation status presented unique vulnerabilities for food insecurity related to unfamiliar food environments, remittances and separation, employment, and community and government resources. Cultural and structural factors that may shape the experience of and response to food insecurity are discussed along with implications for policy and programming.

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Acknowledgments

This research was funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in cooperation with the Maryland Department of Human Resources and the University of Maryland. We would also like to thank the individuals who gave generously of their time to participate in this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Science, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, 1142 School of Public Health Building, College Park, MD, 20742, USA

    Ashley L. Munger, Tiffani D. S. Lloyd, Katherine E. Speirs & Stephanie K. Grutzmacher

  2. Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA

    Kate C. Riera

Authors
  1. Ashley L. Munger
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  2. Tiffani D. S. Lloyd
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  3. Katherine E. Speirs
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  4. Kate C. Riera
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  5. Stephanie K. Grutzmacher
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Correspondence to Katherine E. Speirs.

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Munger, A.L., Lloyd, T.D.S., Speirs, K.E. et al. More than Just Not Enough: Experiences of Food Insecurity for Latino Immigrants. J Immigrant Minority Health 17, 1548–1556 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-014-0124-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-014-0124-6

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