The Nourish Study

We all know food is important to our health and well-being. But its not just about the nutritional quality of what we eat. Food is part of our culture. It nourishes our bodies and souls. We use food to celebrate and our food choices communicate our identity, heritage, culture, and even our values. In short, food is part of who we are and how we connect with one another. That’s why thinking about food is important to how we plan parties, organize meetings and events, and deliver food services to our community.

We’re conducting The Nourish Study to explore the multifaceted relationships between personal and cultural food practices, social well-being, and how our communities support eating together.

As part of this study, we’re looking to talk to two groups of people: (1) those providing food to others in their communities, and (2) those who are currently or wish to receive food services and/or eat socially with others in their communities. We are especially keen to engage people with a wide range of dietary practices and from diverse cultural backgrounds. If you’re interested in helping out by sharing your life experiences and stories of social eating, click the button below:

What’s involved?

  • 60-90 minute focus group or 1:1 interviews via Zoom.

  • $50 Honoraria paid via etransfer to compensate for your time.

More information about this study and your eligibility to participate

Methods

Focus group or 1-to-1 interviews lasting approximately 60-90 minutes.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible participants are (1) 16+ years of age or older; (2) live in Canada; (3) identify as French, English, African, Indigenous, Jewish, South Asian, East Asian, Southeast Asian, or as part of another significant cultural group; and/or (4) have specific nutritional needs (such as being vegetarian or vegan; having a gluten sensitivity, being lactose intolerance, having other food allergies; or abstaining from alcohol).

Compensation

Participants will receive a $50 CAD honorarium that will be paid by an e-transfer.

Who are the researchers leading this study?

  • Iqra Akram

    PHD STUDENT

    Iqra is a PhD student in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University. She is leading this project as part of her dissertation. She received her Masters of Science in Public Health from the University of Debrecen, Hungary with first-class honours, where she focused on the double burden of malnutrition among Pakistani women.

  • Kiffer Card

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

    Dr. Card is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences. His research focuses on healthy ecologies and lifestyles, with special attention to the social and ecological determinants of health in the context of public health crises.