# Seeking Food Assistance: Food Insecure Veterans' Experiences Navigating through Systems

> **NIH VA I21** · MICHAEL E DEBAKEY VA MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · —

## Abstract

Background: Food insecurity is defined as limited or uncertain access to adequate food due to a lack of
money and is a social determinant of health.6 An estimated 1 in 4 Veterans using VHA services are food
insecure.1–3 Working-age Veterans (i.e., those aged 18-59 years) have increased risk for food insecurity
compared to elder veterans and non-veterans.1,17 The VHA screens Veterans in primary care for food
insecurity.
Significance/Impact: However, screening does not equate receiving assistance. Despite having a high
prevalence of food insecurity, a smaller percentage of Veterans enroll in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP), formally known as food stamps.10,11 We do not know why more Veterans do not use this
service. Additionally, as the VHA installs on-site food pantries, we know little about Veterans’ experiences with
and perceptions of food pantries. Anecdotal evidence suggest that stigma & concern for quality of food may be
barriers to use.12
Innovation: This is the first study to formally take a user-centered approach to learn what Veterans experience
as they navigate systems in search of food assistance. Our proposal is set within the design thinking
framework which consists of 3 phases: problem identification, solution ideation, & implementation.13,14 Each
phase demands stakeholder participation. Our proposal focuses on the first phase. Using journey maps (i.e.,
visual tools developed through in-depth interviews that document lived experiences), we will identify unmet
needs and gaps in service.
Specific Aims:
1. Through qualitative, in-depth 1:1 interviews with food insecure Veterans (n=40), we will visually map food
insecure Veterans’ experiences with seeking food assistance. 1a) These journey maps will be aggregated and
analyzed to identify barriers and facilitators to improve access to food assistance for Veterans living with food
insecurity. 1b) Because COVID-19 may have impacted the ability of Veterans to obtain food assistance, we will
specifically ask Veterans if and how COVID-19 affected their experience with seeking food assistance.
2. We will strengthen our relationships with community partners and other key stakeholders in preparation for
the next two phases of the design thinking framework that require collaboration. We will increase routine
communication, host discussion groups, and evaluate responses to the Research Partnership Checklist15,16
which will inform us of partner expectations.
Methodology: Using in-depth, 1:1 interviews with 40 Veterans aged 18-59, living in and around southeast
Texas, we will construct journey maps to document Veterans’ actions and emotions as they sought food
assistance. Aggregated maps will be shared with community partners and other stakeholders. To strengthen
relationships, community partners will complete an assessment tool that will help us build working relationships
in alignment with their expectations.
Implementation/Next Steps: The journey maps will identify areas of di...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10187829
- **Project number:** 1I21HX003227-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** MICHAEL E DEBAKEY VA MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Nipa P Kamdar
- **Activity code:** I21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-04-01 → 2022-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10187829

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10187829, Seeking Food Assistance: Food Insecure Veterans' Experiences Navigating through Systems (1I21HX003227-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10187829. Licensed CC0.

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