Food security stakeholders in Hawaii: perceptions of food security monitoring

The purpose of this study was to document Hawai'i's food security stakeholders' perceptions of (1) definitions of food insecurity and hunger, (2) what should be measured, (3) how stakeholders interpret the Core Food Security Module (CFSM) and Face Valid Food Security Measure (FVFSM), and (4) the value of specific items in the CFSM.

Perceptions were gathered through focus groups and interviews.

The 43 stakeholders included 19 WIC nutritionists, 10 food pantry providers, 4 Hawaii foodbank board members, 4 social workers, 3 legislators, and 3 homeless food providers. ANALYSIS PERFORMED: Transcripts were analyzed using constant comparative analysis of each question asked, comparisons between groups, and comparisons with the research literature.

Stakeholders desired more detailed information than the CFSM currently yields and also a simple tool to measure the entire range of food insecurity that could be used to "help the needy." Participants favored the FVFSM over the CFSM because "it is more accurate as far as seeing the picture properly."

A "Simple Food Security Monitoring Tool," which is based on the FVFSM, was created as an alternative tool for local food security monitoring.