A Review of the Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Food Insecurity

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, food insecurity increased despite legislation that put more resources into Federal Nutrition Assistance Programs. I gathered information by reviewing the literature on food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how different barriers ranging from lack of transportation to being undocumented affected disadvantaged minorities. The US Census Bureau’s weekly Household Pulse Surveys provided tables of data on how the pandemic affected employment, food sufficiency and food security, health, and housing. In studying the data collected from Household Pulse Surveys conducted by the US census, I was able to study trends throughout the pandemic and different phases of the quarantine, generally the uneducated, those that have not even received a high school degree have seen larger percentages of food insecurity. To gain insight into what charitable food sectors provided for those unable to take advantage of Federal Nutrition Assistance programs, I interviewed individuals who run and volunteer at food banks. From reviewing the literature, examining the US Census Household Pulse Survey Data, and interviewing those integral to the charitable food network, it can be concluded that the government should work towards closing transportation accessibility gaps and increasing charitable food sectors in regions where food insecurity is more prevalent.