Food accessibility and the sustainability of food security among urban low-income households in Selangor: a qualitative study

The limited financial resources constrain food access and encourage families to purchase cheap ratherthan healthy food servers. Compounding this is the unpredictability that routine grocery shopping has on one's daily capabilities, along with rising and falling food prices. This instability of prices also makes it difficult for families to have adequate access and stability in consumption, forcing many times to have a transitory compromise that generates some long-term problems largely related to sustainable food security. This qualitative study examines the issues influencing food access and the sustainability of food security among urban low-income households in Selangor. To this end, through thematic analysis of in-depth interviews carried out with 10 participants from low-income neighborhoods, this research discloses thefive most important themes: (1) economic constraints, (2) geographical and infrastructure barriers, (3) the problem of food price and market fluctuation, (4) limited involvement in urban agriculture, and (5) coping strategies in response to food insecurity. Data show that financial difficulties represent the most significant barrier to food access, which leads to families having to choose less healthy foods simply because they are more affordable. This could imply that the need to promote food security means that more support and possibly infrastructure for urban farming may be required. Lastly, although the coping strategies employed by families are inventive, they are unsustainable and highlight the pressing need for long-term policy interventions. This research highlights the necessity for action.