A Multi-Site Analysis of the Prevalence of Food Security in the United States, before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Niles Meredith T. , Beavers Alyssa W , Clay Lauren A. , Dougan Marcelle M. , Pignotti Giselle A. , Rogus Stephanie , Savoie-Roskos Mateja R. , Schattman Rachel E. , Zack Rachel M. , Acciai Francesco , Allegro Deanne , Belarmino Emily H. , Bertmann Farryl , Biehl Erin , Birk Nick , Bishop-Royse Jessica , Bozlak Christine , Bradley Brianna , Brenton Barrett P. , Buszkiewicz James , Cavaliere Brittney N. , Cho Young , Clark Eric M. , Coakley Kathryn , Coffin-Schmitt Jeanne , Collier Sarah M. , Coombs Casey , Dressel Anne , Drewnowski Adam , Evans Tom , Feingold Beth J , Fiechtner Lauren , Fiorella Kathryn J. , Funderburk Katie , Gadhoke Preety , Gonzales-Pacheco Diana , Safi Amelia Greiner , Gu Sen , Hanson Karla L. , Harley Amy , Harper Kaitlyn , Hosler Akiko S. , Ismach Alan , Josephson Anna , Laestadius Linnea , LeBlanc Heidi , Lewis Laura R. , Litton Michelle M , Martin Katie S. , Martin Shadai , Martinelli Sarah , Mazzeo John , Merrill Scott C. , Neff Roni , Nguyen Esther , Ohri-Vachaspati Punam , Orbe Abigail , Otten Jennifer J. , Parmer Sondra , Pemberton Salome , Al Abdeen Qusair Zain , Rivkina Victoria , Robinson Joelle , Rose Chelsea M. , Sadeghzadeh Saloumeh , Sivaramakrishnan Brinda , Arroyo Mariana Torres , Voorhees McKenna , Yerxa Kathryn 
Published: July 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly affected food systems including food security. Understanding how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted food security is important to provide support, and identify long-term impacts and needs.

Objective

Our team- the National Food Access and COVID research Team (NFACT) was formed to assess food security over different U.S. study sites throughout the pandemic, using common instruments and measurements. Here we present results from 18 study sites across 15 states and nationally over the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A validated survey instrument was developed and implemented in whole or part across the sites throughout the first year of the pandemic, representing 22 separate surveys. Sampling methods for each study site were convenience, representative, or high-risk targeted. Food security was measured using the USDA six-item module. Food security prevalence was analyzed using analysis of variance by sampling method to statistically significant differences.

Results

In total, more than 27,000 people responded to the surveys. We find higher prevalence of food insecurity (low or very low food security) since the COVID-19 pandemic, as compared to before the pandemic. In nearly all study sites, we find higher prevalence of food insecurity among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), households with children, and those with job disruptions. We also demonstrate lingering food insecurity, with high or increased prevalence over time in sites with repeat surveys. We find no statistically significant differences between convenience and representative surveys, but statistically higher prevalence of food insecurity among high-risk compared to convenience surveys.

Conclusions

This comprehensive multi-study site effort demonstrates higher prevalence of food insecurity since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, which in multiple survey sites continues throughout the first year of the pandemic. These impacts were prevalent for certain demographic groups, and most pronounced for surveys targeting high-risk populations.