Community Food Security and Wellbeing: Evaluation of the Nutrition North Canada Cooking Circle Program in Paulatuk, NWT ...

• Main Author: Dedyukina, Lena
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa 2023
• Subjects: Arctic; Food security; Community food programs; Inuvialuit; Cooking circle; Evaluation; Canada; Paulatuk; inuit
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.20381/ruor-29498; http://ruor.uottawa.ca/handle/10393/45292

Limited research exists on the role of community food programs, such as cooking circles, in Canadian Arctic communities. This research investigates the Nutrition North Canada cooking circle program in the Inuvialuit (Inuit) hamlet of Paulatuk, NWT. The objectives are to 1) collaboratively evaluate the program's impact on healthy food intake, and awareness/knowledge accumulation regarding healthier eating and meal preparation techniques; 2) assess the program's intangible (e.g., social, cultural, and mental health) benefits to participants and community wellbeing; and 3) analyze the potential for consistent country food integration; 4) to generate a culturally relevant logic model; 5) to evaluate program implementation in terms of key enablers and barriers - namely, funding, space and equipment, and human resources. This research applies a Community-Based Participatory Research approach to implementing a collaborative process and outcome program evaluation, with necessary modifications due to the Covid-19 ...