Foods · 4 authors, 1 centre
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A qualitative study using Rapid Rural Appraisal found that while women in East African artisan cooperatives gained greater agency and income, their diets shifted to include more sugar and fruit but less vegetables, influenced by culture and food availability.
This qualitative, phenomenological study used Rapid Rural Appraisal methods to examine how artisan cooperatives impact food perception and consumer behaviors among women in Rwanda and Kenya. Data were collected from four groups of women across three purposively selected cooperatives through interactive activities. Key findings indicated that while cooperative participation provided women with greater income, agency, and nutrition knowledge, their diets did not necessarily become healthier. Diets shifted to include more sugar and fruit but less vegetables, a change attributed to cultural norms, economic success symbols, and local food availability (e.g., coastal vs. landlocked locations). Limitations include the regional focus in East Africa, the lack of statistical significance, and the qualitative design, which limits generalizability but offers transferable insights for similar contexts.
