Experiences of New Visitors With Low Food Security Seeking Food Assistance During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective: To describe the experiences of first-time visitors with low food security seeking food assistance during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Design: A qualitative study.

Setting: Emergency food distribution sites in West Central Florida.

Participants: Adults (aged 18-64 years) seeking food assistance between November, 2020 and July, 2021.

Phenomenon of interest: Using food security as a multidimensional concept, in-depth interviews explored the impact of emergency food assistance on food availability, access, utilization, and stability.

Analysis: Applied thematic analysis was conducted to identify emergent themes.

Results: Participants (n = 18) were White (55.6%), female (72.2%), and aged 40-59 years (55.6%). Seven salient themes described participants' experience seeking food assistance (eg, the crisis resulting in seeking food assistance, mixed quality of pantry foods, and gaining firsthand insight on hunger). Although food assistance increased food availability and access, there were barriers to using the pantry foods (eg, foods not preferred, health/allergies).

Conclusions and implications: Study findings suggest that first-time visitors seeking emergency food assistance during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic may be experiencing temporary cycles of financial instability, which could impact dietary quality. Because pantry foods are often the primary source of household food supply, client-focused emergency food distribution tailored to client needs can increase food availability, access, and utilization.

Keywords: COVID-19; emergency food assistance; first-time visitors; food insecurity; food pantry.