Food Hardship during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Great Recession.

ABSTRACT: I compare the extent of food hardships in the United States among adults and seniors before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Food insufficiency increased threefold compared to 2019, and more than doubled relative to the Great Recession. Food insufficiency among seniors increased 75% during the COVID period, but more than doubled when including reduced intake of food varieties. Receipt of charitable foods among disadvantaged adults spiked 50% in the COVID period, but the initial response among seniors was a sharp reduction, before rising. These patterns are consistent with strong social distancing measures enacted in response to the pandemic.

SUBMITTER: Ziliak JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7537182 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature