Celiac Disease and Food Banks in Colorado during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Background: In Colorado, food insecurity affects about 10% of patients with celiac disease and is associated with decreased adherence to gluten-free diet. With the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for gluten-free foods from food banks increased. We sought to assess the availability of gluten-free foods at food banks in Colorado during the pandemic. Method(s): Food banks in Colorado were asked to complete a survey about general understanding of celiac disease and identifying perceived barriers to providing gluten-free foods to people with celiac disease and food insecurity. In-person visits with additional predefined questions for the director were planned. Result(s): Of the 63 food banks contacted, 27 (43%) responded and 15 (24%) completed questionnaires (Table). Some in the Denver Metro area reported no barriers as they felt well equipped with resources and information related to celiac disease. The most common barrier reported was access to gluten-free foods from both donors and from mass suppliers. The next most common barriers were volunteer training and lack of celiac community advocacy about need. Of 16 providing written responses, 8 requested written resources and 3 indicated a separate area for those with food restrictions and adequate supply of gluten-free foods. Only one food bank was visited. The others were inaccessible due to lack of resources or capacity due to the pandemic or lack of communication. The food bank visited was Integrated Family Community Services, a social service whose mission is to alleviate hunger and empower people to make health adjustments. This food bank works with hospitals and the community to support low-income families in Englewood CO, an area with population at high risk of food insecurity. The director at this food bank reported knowing what celiac disease and gluten-free are, as well as trying to provide food for those with specific food restrictions. Prior to COVID, recipients could select the food items they wanted, and gluten-free pastas, flours, breads were separated, as were low glycemic foods for those with diabetes and low sodium foods for those with hypertension. However, due to COVID restrictions, this was no longer possible;volunteers put together pre-made boxes, but not gluten-free boxes. Conclusion(s): During the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for gluten-free food items increased;however, not only was there diminished supply of gluten-free foods to food banks by large and small donors, food banks also were reduced in their capacity to sort and deliver the gluten-free foods to those in need. In addition, there was little awareness of the need for gluten-free donations and the need for volunteers at the food banks. Food insecurity is a contributing factor in adverse health outcomes for celiac disease. Discussion(s): Food insecurity is common, impacting 10%-20% of families with celiac disease and is associated with rural communities, reduced adherence to the gluten-free diet, and the burden of the higher cost of gluten-free foods on low income families. Recognizing the impact on social determinants of health, the US Preventive Services Task Force is developing a research agenda for food insecurity. Strategies celiac centers could adapt to improve access include 1) focused advocacy to increase donations to food banks by gluten-free food producers, 2) creation of areas within food pantries for special dietary needs, 3) provide expert dietitian support to food banks, 4) develop written resources about gluten-free foods, labelling and recipes for food banks, and 5) improve staffing by promoting volunteering. Limitations of this study include low participation rate by food pantries, inability to visit more than one pantry during this study, and extrapolation of findings to other areas outside Colorado. Future directions could include studies to increase health care systems awareness of and screening for food insecurity (demand side), as well as partnering with food banks and gluten free food manufacturers and suppliers to enhance the availability of these foods (supply side) and then assess any impact on health outcomes. (Table Presented).

Editorial

Drawing on concepts of Paulo Freire, Orlando Fals Borda and other Latin American researchers, systematisation of experiences indicates that it is a particular research method generated from popular education and social work, and that it shares the same commitments regarding social transformation. Besides the theoretical foundations of systematisation of experiences, the article presents and analszes didactically the 7 moments of systematisation of experiences in Territorial Development: 1) Gather the systematisation team;2)The definition of what to systematise (core of systematisation);3) Reconstruction of experience (Memory);4) Analysis and in- terpretation of events: learning from dialogue processes in systematisation;5) Development of transformative proposals: stage of co-construction;6) Learning from experience: construction of new knowledge and the "return to academia";7) The communication of the experience. The paper finds that action research has been useful in creating a collaborative relationship between the instructor and the student and has helped to reflect on the e-learning process of public relations modules during Covid-19 pandemic. How can the practitioner enhance her practice as a special education teacher of Specific Vocational Skills (Bread Making), to improve the employability of Semai indigenous students through a bakery sales project?

Romanian consumer behaviour regarding pasta consumption during the COVID 19 pandemic

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated lockdowns, many events occurred, such as supply chain disruption, shielding and working from home restrictions along with diminished incomes and people's extra time spent in their own homes;all these have led to broad changes in consumer attitudes and behaviour. Therefore, people spent more time at home in all countries, and there was a significant increase in the number of people who enjoyed experiencing cooking at home, having a regular schedule for their meals. Pasta represents one of the most consumed food products in the world, their consumption increasing from year to year, experiencing a boost demand during the pandemic, because it has many important advantages such as: low cost, easy to cook, high nutritional value and long shelf life. Properly cooked pasta has a low potential to increase blood sugar, it slows down digestion and give a feeling of satiety for a longer period. The purpose of this study was to obtain information on consumer perceptions towards pasta consumption in order to develop new products that are adapted to current consumer requirements and preferences.

Post-Pandemic Issues on the Labour Market in the Bacau County

The aim of this paper is to analyse the issues of the Bacau County labour market at the beginning of the post-pandemic period. We propose two hypotheses: the COVID-19 pandemic crisis decreases the number of jobs from Bacau County;the pandemic crisis increases the disparities on labour market. In order to find the answers at these hypotheses, we have structured this study in three chapters. Firstly, we will analyse the state of Bacau County labour market. Secondly, we will review the evolution of the Bacau County labour market between 20192021. Thirdly, we will analyse the trends of labour market at the beginning of the post-pandemic period.

NUTRITIONAL QUALITY AND STARCH DIGESTIBILITY OF BREADFRUIT-BAMBARA GROUNDNUT COMPOSITE FLOURS FOR FOOD FORMULATIONS

The focus of this study was to produce composite flour with nutritional and functional potentials from underutilized and inexpensive crops, which can be used in food formulations as a substitute to composite flours from commonly used and expensive crops. The proximate, mineral, and amino acid compositions, resistant starch content and in vitro starch digestibility of breadfruit-bambara groundnut (100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, and 60:40 respectively) composite flours were investigated using standard methods. Data generated were subjected to statistical analysis. Inclusion of bambara groundnut in the composite flours significantly (p<0.05) increased protein (5.06-16.96%), ash (1.54-2.71%), fat (1.06-1.96%), potassium (727.82-797.73 mg/100g), phosphorus (143.36-177.32 mg/100g), magnesium (92.71-117.05 mg/100g) and resistant starch (11.45-21.98%) contents, while it significantly (p<0.05) reduced fibre (4.65-5.39%), carbohydrate (65.3379.69%), sodium (48. 64-71.25 mg/100g), and calcium (57.65-64.50 mg/100g) contents, as well as in vitro starch digestibility (40.41-58.75%). All the essential amino acids were present;they constituted 34.69 - 37.94% of the total amino acid. The predicted protein efficiency ratio ranged from 2.14 to 2.82. This study suggests that breadfruit-bambara groundnut composite flours may find usefulness in different food formulations and may exhibit lower postprandial hyperglycemia which is important for obese and diabetic patients.