Affordability

The following are a selection of images, captions, and quotes from Flint residents who participated in the photo project on food access in Flint and the impact of COVID-19. Most of the photos show intersecting themes, for example one photo and caption might illustrate family, cooking and healthy eating. Photos on these pages are just shared in one category to help show the breadth of data we received.

These data illustrate the theme of affordability.

This theme appeared 320 times in the data.

We define the affordability theme as descriptions of being able to buy groceries, or all the groceries needed, with the money a customer has.

Flint Residents Shared

Boxed food, receipts, and coupons.
“My strategy while going to the grocery store so I can get in and out quicker is to go early in the morning. I have a grocery list from recipes or something I NEED. I shop for what’s on sale and usually what I have coupons for. I’m picky about my produce so I don’t care for the online shopping. I’m usually in and out within 20-30mins. Before I COVID-19 it would take around 2 hours so I’ve cut it drastically.”
Loaf of gluten free bread
“Seriously??? Over $5 for a loaf of bread???”
Oreos at the grocery store
“A lot of sale items in the big box stores sell items that aren’t healthy but cheap but you can find fruits and vegetables and healthy options on a budget if you shop early to get the Best Buy’s. I look for reduced items I know I can eat for the upcoming week.”
Reduced price bacon and lettuce
“When reduced bacon is still $3.99 but you buy it anyway because the prices have been so high and there’s reduced lettuce too. B.L.T’s for dinner.”

To learn more about the Flint Leverage Points Project, watch our Flint Food System Video.

To learn more about this photo project, visit our Briefing Notes page.

Explore other themes, images, and data.

*Note: The statements provided here represent the voices of the Flint residents who participated in this research project. They are not necessarily reflective of the values or opinions of Michigan State University or its affiliates.

Photo Project