Basic Food Education and Assistance Activities Focus Group

Basic Food Education and Assistance Activities Focus Group Results Annya Pintak, Within. Reach Amy Samudre, Global to Local Kaesri Keopanya, Asian Couseling & Referral Service

Within. Reach Basic Food Focus Group • Surveyed Summer Meal participants in Auburn, Tukwila & Sea. Tac to recruit focus group participants – 44% not on Basic Food – 28% on Basic Food – 22% had Basic Food in the past • Focus group participants in Auburn – Auburn Library – Kids activities for children

Focus Group Topic Review & Gather Community Feedback on Basic Food Materials

Community Feedback: WR Material • First items that “pop” for participants: • Tacos!!! • “Good Food” • Income Eligibility • Shopping Bag • Participants love the color, size, very friendly looking • Like the bullet point steps on how to apply • Like double-sided • Stick to one term – Basic Food OR Food Stamps • Participants prefer Food Stamps • What does EBT stand for?

Community Feedback: DSHS Material • Participants felt information was helpful but it contained too much information • Many said they would not read all of it • Prefer bullet points than paragraphs • “What would be the most important information you would want to know about your benefits? ” • What, where and when • Something to put on the fridge • Trifold pamphlet • Additional Recommendations: • Use brighter vegetables • Could be more colorful • Include pictures of food that we want to eat • “I know that’s food I should eat but I don’t necessarily want to eat it”

Community Feedback: Fresh Bucks Material • Many did not know that you could use Basic Food at Farmers Market • Map = positive • South King County specific • Include WIC benefits too + other nutritional programs! • Instead of “EBT” participants recommended Food Stamp Benefits • EBT again confusing to some people • “What information would convince you to go to the Farmers Market? ” • Quality of food and financial benefit • “Brochure is so jolly – more positive, sometimes other flyers make you feel bad about yourself for using these services” – Participant M

Plans for the future • More focus groups – Diversify feedback • Taking feedback to initiative

GLOBAL TO LOCAL Focus Group Topic: To assess the needs of specific resources of Non. Health. Point and Health. Point Patients including; Basic Food, Nutrition, Personal Needs, Transportation, Employment, and Education.

Key Findings & Recommendations: Increase Community Engagement. Request for community information meetings (particularly for immigrant/refugee clients) • Receive information & updates regarding changes: • Basic Food services • New programs available in the community • Knowledge of existing services Key consideration: Collaborate with Refugee Resettlement agencies to bridge this gap

Key Barriers: • Language Capacity • Arabic and Amharic • Further assistance needed in accessing Basic Food and removing barriers to education on resources (basic food, employment programs, housing).

ACRS BFEA Focus Group By Kaesri Keopanya Focus Group (Limited English Proficiency) • ACRS Vietnamese ESL Students • ACRS Laotian Wellness Group Topic: Basic Food Benefits • Surveyed the population of their awareness of Basic Food Benefits • Provided Education on Basic Food • Provide contact information to find help/assistance Basic Food Feedback from Focus Group: • The information was informative as some were new to the country. • Some were not eligible, but will pass the message to family/friends. • Some had applied in the past and had low amount of benefit ($10/month). Some did not renewed the application as the process is difficult and time consuming for non English speakers.