Meal Preparation Strategies and Lack of Food Security Among Unaccompanied Latino Migrant Farmworker Youth in Georgia and Florida: A Mixed-Methods Approach.

INTRODUCTION

The present research aims to better understand the meal preparation strategies and food security of unaccompanied Latino migrant farmworker (LMFW) youth in Georgia and Florida. This unfolded in two studies.

METHODS

In Study 1, we explored the day-to-day meal preparation experiences and strategies of N = 20 migrant youths aged 15-20 years (50% from Mexico under the H-2A agricultural visa program working in Georgia; 50% from Guatemala, undocumented minors working in Florida). In Study 2, using a different sample, we examined the levels of food security among N = 36 unaccompanied LMFW youths aged 15-20 years and working in Florida.

RESULTS

In Study 1, thematic analysis highlighted three shared themes among LMFW youth related to meal preparation strategies: (1) "I do it myself", (2) "We try to help each other", and (3) "Sometimes I don't even have time to eat." In Study 2, findings showed that 81% (29) of LMFW youths cooked alone while 19% (7) cooked in groups. Most (72%) lacked food security. Out of the 29 LMFW youths who cooked alone, 83% lacked food security compared to 29% of the 7 LMFW youths who cooked in groups. Additionally, among LMFW youths who cooked alone, those who were minors lacked food security (86%) more commonly than those who were non-minors (80%).

CONCLUSION

Together, these studies provide insight into meal preparation strategies, and food security status among unaccompanied LMFW youth, specifically that solitude in meal preparation is associated with a lack of food security among these youth in U.S. agriculture.