IMPROVING FOOD SECURITY IN PENTICTON, BC, THROUGH SOCIAL NETWORKING AND COMMUNITY CAPACITY-BUILDING USING PARTICIPATORY AND ACTION RESEARCH by Donna Benson A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in THE COLLEGE OF GRADUATE STUDIES (Interdisciplinary Studies) THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Okanagan) April 2021 © Donna Benson, 2021 The following individuals certify that they have read, and recommend to the College of Graduate Studies for acceptance, the dissertation entitled: Improving Food Security in Penticton, BC, through Social Networking and Community Capacity-building using Participatory and Action Research submitted by Donna Benson in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Dr. Mary Ann Murphy, School of Social Work Supervisor Dr. Dixon Sookraj, School of Social Work Supervisory Committee Member Dr. Mary Stockdale, Department of Community, Culture, and Global Studies Supervisory Committee Member Dr. Wendy Griswold, University of Memphis Supervisory Committee Member Dr. Carlos Teixeira, Department of Community, Culture, and Global Studies University Examiner Dr. Budd Hall, University of Victoria External Examiner ii Abstract Food security agreements have been in force in Canada since 1976. Yet, between 2008 and 2015, Food Banks Canada identified a 26% increase in food bank use. Between 2008 and 2018, researchers stated only 20-25% of food insecure individuals utilized food banks. In November 2020, others identified 60,000 charities in Canada helping to feed those in need. Sustainable food security solutions seemed imperative. Food bank charities were not an adequate solution due to inconsistent quality and quantities of donated surplus. The current study, within the United Nations context of human rights, intended to improve awareness and access to healthy food in Penticton, BC, through participatory action research in collaboration with the Salvation Army food bank. Theoretical foundations underpinning the study included pragmatism, advocacy, participation, adaptive leadership, and empowerment theory. The study was grounded in assets-based community development, organizational and community engagement through social network expansion and capacity-building. The researcher was viewed as a critical friend with relevant skills. Eleven participants engaged during the three-cycle project. Cycle 1-2 included a six-person participatory team. In Cycle 1, preliminary interviews of 15-45 minutes with each team member explored study concepts. Seven focus groups discussed potential projects for implementation and community sectors where contacts with decision-making authority were accessible. Cycle 2 engaged sector representatives (education, media, governance, and agriculture) in five focus groups and six interviews. Assets, funding procedures, and collaborative capacity were assessed. Although Salvation Army sponsorship was lost due to changes in personnel and priorities, we defined functional barriers, partners, and strategies for community capacity-building. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cycle 3 intervention (CoVic Garden Box Project) included four paid university students and a project coordinator. Two facilities and 26 families grew food for themselves and the food bank. We installed 61 raised beds and generated 1580 pounds of produce. The Penticton city councillors unanimously approved further engagement with staff toward inclusion in the 2021 Municipal Plan. In October 2020, the Action Research Network of the Americas Executive Committee assigned a Sustainability Action Research Committee (ARC) to help move the work forward. A closing survey provided insights for future work. iii Lay Summary This research explored how networking and strengthening community relationships could improve food quality and quantity for the Penticton Salvation Army food bank. Cycle 1 included a six-person participatory team, interviewed regarding study concepts. Seven focus groups explored innovative food security projects and potential collaborations within community sectors where team members had contacts with decision-making authority. Cycle 2 included five focus groups and six interviews with representatives from four sectors: education, governance, media, and agriculture. Community assets, funding procedures, and collaborative capacity were evaluated. The Cycle 3 intervention (CoVic Garden Box Project) during the COVID-19 pandemic included a paid coordinator and four university students. Two facilities and 26 families grew food for themselves and the food bank. We installed 61 raised beds, generated 1580 pounds of produce, created a video, and conducted a closing survey. Penticton city councillors unanimously approved further engagement with staff toward inclusion in the 2021 Municipal Plan. iv Preface This dissertation is original, unpublished, independent work by the author, Donna Benson. The following persons assisted with the design of the study, reviewed progress and provided feedback regarding: the performance of the study, analysis of data, presentation of findings. Dr. Mary Ann Murphy, University of British Columbia Associate Professor, holds a cross-appointment on aging between the School of Social Work, Faculty of Health and Social Development and the Department of History and Sociology within the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Science. Dr. Wendy Griswold, University of Memphis Assistant Professor, Department of Leadership, and Director of the Center for the Study of Higher Education with a focus on community education engaged in environmental, economic, and social renewal. Dr. Dixon Sookraj, University of British Columbia Associate Professor, School of Social Work with a focus on participatory research to promote health and well-being, the policies and processes of social service delivery systems and the needs of marginalized groups. Dr. Mary Stockdale, University of British Columbia Lecturer, Department of Community, Culture and Global Studies with a focus on geography including natural resource management, environment and resilience. Dr. Carlos Teixeira, University of British Columbia Professor, Department of Community, Culture and Global Studies with a focus on geography including urban and social geography with an emphasis on migration processes. Dr. Budd Hall, Professor Emeritus with the School of Public Administration and Senior Associate at the Centre for Global Studies at the University of Victoria. Dr. Hall is UNESCO Chair in Community Based Research and Social Responsibility in Higher Education and served as External Examiner for this dissertation. Design and performance of the research: The current study was conducted by me in three cycles: The first two cycles utilized participatory action research in collaboration with the Penticton Salvation Army food bank to identify potential sectors and projects for organizational collaboration in the community. Prior to Cycle 1, six semi-structured interviews were conducted with three staff from the Salvation Army food bank in Penticton and three volunteers from the v food bank community garden. These individuals formed the core participatory research team during Cycle 1 and Cycle 2. Seven focus group sessions with the participatory team took place during Cycle 1. In Cycle 2, five focus groups and six unstructured interviews took place with experts from specifically targeted community sectors (education, media, governance, and agriculture). Insights were sought with regard to collaboration on local food security issues, collaborative strategies and procedures. During the third and last cycle, I utilized an interventionist action research approach to proactively and directly improve the quality and quantity of food at the food bank. The Cycle 3 team included paid staff: a community garden coordinator and four university students. My administrative assistant provided support on request. Analysis of the research data: Observations and reflections were captured by my active and reflective journaling throughout the three cycles. In Cycle 1, I analyzed interview transcripts, focus group minutes, written notes, and recordings to evaluate themes and target sectors using a spreadsheet matrix. In Cycle 2, I analyzed focus group and interview notes using a spreadsheet matrix. In Cycle 3, weekly notes taken by the coordinator and I were a source of data, along with survey feedback from the research team. The students also created a video by engaging with members of the community who were growing produce for themselves and the food bank. Approval to proceed was granted at various stages by The University of British Columbia Okanagan Behavioural Research Ethics Board, Office of Research Services, Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences as follows: May 16, 2017, approval with “minimal risk” was granted to commence the study (original title): The Food Bank as an Agent of Change: A Case Study of a PAR Intervention (H15-02517) January 10, 2018: H15-02517-001 (002 inactivated) vi May 4, 2018: H15-02517-003 September 4, 2018: H15-02517-A004 April 11, 2019: H15-02517-005 April 9, 2020: H15-02517-A006 (007 inactivated) August 31, 2020: H15-02517-A008 October 21, 2020: H15-02517-009 February 10, 2021: H15-02517-A010 (Amendments to Study) vii Table of Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................... iii Lay Summary ..............................................................................................................................