Food Insecurity impacts several million Americans. The current Covid-19 pandemic has also affected millions of people not only the United States, but globally. With this in mind, how has the Covid-19 pandemic affected accessibility and interventions when it comes to food insecurity? Research into the topic was conducted using two tools: an immersion experience and literature review. The immersion experience took place at a local urban food pantry by working as a volunteer, whose duties included pre-packing boxes with food before distribution and distributing produce items during in-store walkthroughs. Articles about the effect of Covid-19 on food insecurity were collected and reviewed. It was found that the Covid-19 pandemic has caused unemployment resulting in more people becoming food insecure. The implementation of lockdowns has reduced the transportation of food and the initial start of the panic has led people to stock up on items thus limiting the access to certain items. Most importantly, the pandemic has caused a shift in the distribution of resources to food insecure people. During the pandemic, food pantries had to implement new pre-packing and delivery procedures such as pre-packed boxes and home deliveries into their distribution methods along with proper social distancing and mask wearing to keep themselves and clientele safe according to CDC guidelines. In conclusion, the pandemic has increased the number of people who are food insecure causing food pantries to shift to new approaches with an emphasis on preventing the spread of Covid-19 and other illnesses. With these new approaches, there is a call for increased benefits and more collaboration with other organizations to reach those in need more effectively.
Author: Ifeyinwa Okafor
Faculty Advisor: Michael Conger, Entrepreneurship—Farmer School of Business
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