Food card: what defines a better purchase? for whom? Implementation operation in the Province of Cordoba

Abstract

Introduction: The Food Card (TA, Spanish acronym) was a strategy of the plan Argentina Against Hunger aimed at promoting and strengthening access to the Basic Food Basket for the population living in poverty, in order to improve the nutritional quality of their diet. Distribution and implementation of TA in the province of Cordoba (February 27 to March 12, 2020) had the active participation of the School of Nutrition (UNC) in its planning, execution, and evaluation. 

Objectives: The aim of this study is to describe the target population of the Food Card in the province of Cordoba and analyze the main implications associated with "the best food purchase." 

Materials and methods: A qualitative and quantitative approach (n = 9571 women) was used. Techniques included a semi-structured questionnaire and participatory workshops. Statistic, descriptive, inferential, and content analysis were conducted on the main implications regarding "the best food purchase." 

Results: There was marked heterogeneity in material living conditions (basic needs), services (installed water network), cooking equipment (oven, refrigerator), places of purchase (supermarkets, neighborhood shops, limited access to varied food), state and community social programs (community dining rooms, support networks). Implications that define the "best purchase" included: acquiring a specific food item; a good cost/benefit ratio; coverage of healthy food; treating oneself; meeting daily needs; safe food; good treatment; choosing where to buy; proximity. 

Conclusions: This policy can be seen as a "first" compensation to reduce the structural food gap in Argentina. It raises the question of what "eating well" means for each individual. "The best purchase" is defined based on these implications. 

Keywords: social policies, food, implications, Cordoba.