Abstract
This is a dissertation about food insecurity in the Latino population of Orange County, California, and the reasons for their underutilization of the Food Stamp program according to themselves. Problem Statement. Latino households living under the poverty level and experiencing food insecurity are underutilizing the Food Stamp program. Purpose: To contribute to knowledge that can affect practice in public administration and thus address the needs of society, namely, the living conditions of Latinos in Orange County. Theoretical Framework. This study is supported by three main theories: interpretivism, social constructionism, and social stratification. These foundational theories need to be seen as general tendencies, not absolute orientations. Methodology: This is a descriptive case study that utilizes a multistrategy quantitative and qualitative research method. It includes extensive secondary data and the collection of primary data in food pantries through structured observation and self-administered questionnaire instrument. Findings: The barriers to getting Food Stamps most commonly cited by Latinos have to do with myths and incorrect assumptions about the program followed by access or logistics issues. In a third position are barriers related to programmatic concerns and last are personal reasons. Latinos overwhelmingly cited immigration issues as a barrier. Promotion of the program in the observed food pantries is mostly nonexistent. Conclusion and Recommendations: The role of government is recognized as essential to ensure people's access to basic needs. Poverty and its common consequence, food insecurity, need to be addressed with justice, not charity. Ending hunger in the United States requires the political will to address socioeconomic inequalities and the replacement of the minimum wage for the livable wage. New proactive approaches to make the Food Stamp program more accessible are urgently needed. The strong reliance on community by Latinos requires a new operational model in which Food Stamps case workers become community workers who interact with Latinos in public spaces. Given the low level of awareness and incorrect assumptions about the program, public campaigns should be expanded in mainstream media outlets; and most importantly for the underserved Latino community, all in need who qualify should be included regardless of their immigration status.