Food Security Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Evidence from a Cohort of Adults in Vermont during the First Year.

This study assessed changes in household food insecurity throughout the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in a cohort of adults in the state of Vermont, USA, and examined the socio-demographic characteristics associated with increased odds of experiencing food insecurity during the pandemic. We conducted three online surveys between March 2020 and March 2021 to collect longitudinal data on food security, use of food assistance programs, and job disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Food security was measured using the USDA six-item module. Among the 441 respondents, food insecurity rates increased significantly during the pandemic and remained above pre-pandemic levels a year after the start of the pandemic. Nearly a third (31.6%) of respondents experienced food insecurity at some point during the first year of the pandemic, with 53.1% of food-insecure households being classified as newly food-insecure. The odds of experiencing food insecurity during the pandemic varied based on socio-demographic factors. Households with children (OR 5.5, 95% CI 1.782-16.936, p < 0.01), women (OR 8.1, 95% CI 1.777-36.647, p < 0.05), BIPOC/Hispanic respondents (OR 11.8, 95% CI 1.615-85.805, p < 0.05), and households experiencing a job disruption (OR 5.0, 95% CI 1.583-16.005, p <0.01) had significantly higher odds of experiencing food insecurity during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, while respondents with a college degree (OR 0.08; 95% CI 0.025-0.246; p < 0.001) and household income of ≥USD 50,000 (OR 0.01; 95% CI 0.003-0.038; p < 0.001) had lower odds of experiencing food insecurity. These findings indicate that food insecurity continued to be a significant challenge one year after the start of the pandemic, which is important, given the adverse health impacts associated with food insecurity and health disparities among certain socio-demographic groups.

Nourishing Underserved Populations Despite Scarcer Resources: Adaptations of an Urban Safety Net Hospital During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

A safety-net hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, made adaptations to its Nourishing Our Community Program to accommodate restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic to continue providing food and education to patients. While participation in programs decreased overall, some of the adaptations made, including virtual classes and food pantry home delivery, were well received and are planned to be maintained after the pandemic subsides. By making adjustments to operational procedures, the Nourishing Our Community Program continued to reach its underserved population despite pandemic challenges.