Who are the Solidarity Kitchen users? Study on inequalities to ensure food and nutritional security based on the experience of Sol Nascente community - Distrito Federal, Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective To review the demographic and socioeconomic profile of the Homeless Workers Movement’s Solidarity Kitchen project users in the Sol Nascente Community, Federal District, Brazil. Methods Descriptive cross-sectional study. The interviews were conducted with adults, users of the solidarity kitchen, in August 2022, using a standardized questionnaire containing demographic, socioeconomic, housing and food consumption information. The outcome of the study was Frequent Use (picking up food at the solidarity kitchen five days/week). General and gender descriptive analyses were conducted, as well as a bivariate analysis based on the chi-square test (p<0.05). Results The sample was composed of 83 dark complexion women with a mean age of 39.6 years (SD=14.6). A total of 35 women (42.2%) had attended the first year of high school or over, and approximately 65.0% had a job and were paid up to one minimum wage. Most received social benefits and 81.9% were unemployed at the time of the survey. More than half of the respondents owned their own home and among those who did not, 64.0% paid rent. A total of 46.3% respondents had up to two daily meals. The prevalence of users who were considered Frequent Users was 61.0%. Women reported lower family income, greater dependence on aid, more unemployment, in addition to living with a greater number of people and having more people in the house who took food from the solidarity kitchen, all statistically significant differences. Conclusion The project Solidarity Kitchen essentially caters to dark complexion women with lower family income, who enhance the inequalities and inequities conditions in food security in the country.