The Early Food Insecurity Impacts of COVID-19

Abstract

COVID-19 has disrupted food access and impacted food insecurity, which is associated with numerous adverse individual and public health outcomes. To assess these challenges and understand their impact on food security, we conducted a statewide population-level survey using a convenience sample in Vermont from March 29 to April 12, 2020, during the beginning of a statewide stay-at-home order. We utilized the United States Department of Agriculture six-item validated food security module to measure food insecurity before COVID-19 and since COVID-19. We assessed food insecurity prevalence and reported food access challenges, coping strategies, and perceived helpful interventions among food secure, consistently food insecure (pre-and post-COVID-19), and newly food insecure (post COVID-19) respondents. Among 3219 respondents, there was nearly a one-third increase (32.3%) in household food insecurity since COVID-19 (p < 0.001), with 35.5% of food insecure households classified as newly food insecure. Respondents experiencing a job loss were at higher odds of experiencing food insecurity (OR 3.06; 95% CI, 2.114-0.46). We report multiple physical and economic barriers, as well as concerns related to food access during COVID-19. Respondents experiencing household food insecurity had higher odds of facing access challenges and utilizing coping strategies, including two-thirds of households eating less since COVID-19 (p < 0.001). Significant differences in coping strategies were documented between respondents in newly food insecure vs. consistently insecure households. These findings have important potential impacts on individual health, including mental health and malnutrition, as well as on future healthcare costs. We suggest proactive strategies to address food insecurity during this crisis.

Keywords: COVID-19; coronavirus; employment; food access; food security; malnutrition.

Figure A1

Survey consent and eligibility breakdown. Respondent surveys that were completely empty (n = 675) were removed from analysis. Completed responses include both partial and full surveys.

Figure 1

Average frequency of challenging food access situations since COVID-19 among respondents with household food security and food insecurity in a survey of Vermont households, March–April, 2020 (p < 0.001 for comparison among all groups). Standard errors shown with brackets. Differences between newly and consistently food insecure shown through stars (*** p < 0.001), ** p < 0.01) and in Table A6.

Figure 2

Average level of concern for potential food access situations during COVID-19 among respondents with household food security and food insecurity in a survey of Vermont households, March–April, 2020 (p < 0.001 for comparison among all groups). Standard errors shown with brackets. Statistically significant differences were also found between newly and consistently food insecure in all cases except for “food will become unsafe” (shown through stars, *** p < 0.001), ** p < 0.01, * p < 0.05) and in Table A7.

Figure 3

Prevalence of current coping strategies utilized by households with food security and with food insecurity during COVID-19 in a survey of Vermont households, March–April, 2020 (statistical differences among all groups p < 0.001). Statistical differences between newly and consistently food insecure shown through stars (*** p < 0.001); ** p < 0.01, * p < 0.05) and in Table A8.