How TikTok Users are Helping De-stigmatize Food Assistance Resources

Brittney Walker

Food Insecurity can be supported through several sources of Food Assistance such as local food banks and pantries yet many who could benefit from this assistance do not use it. This study investigates how food assistance is portrayed on the social media platform TikTok. The goal of this research is to also lessen the stigma that comes along with asking for assistance particularly when it comes to food. Using a qualitative content analysis, I discuss recurring themes and audience engagement dynamics. My findings highlight the diverse ways TikTok users share food assistance information. TikTok videos fall into three main themes: Food Hauls, tutorials, and testimonials. The videos themselves can work to de-stigmatize food assistance by increasing public knowledge of assistance and increasing equitable access to resources and support. The videos also help researchers understand the digital discourse of seeking resources through social media.

• Brittney Walker is a senior majoring in sociology and minoring in psychology and human services. She is from York, SC and plans to move to Greenville after graduating to do non-profit work within the community. She is currently interning at the Food Bank of Greenwood County.