Journal article
Experiences with Pandemic Food Access Among Clinic-Based Community Supported Agriculture Program Participants
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH JOURNAL, v 27(2), p375
Feb 2023
PMID: 36581733
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Objectives The COVID-19 pandemic intensified food insecurity (FI) across the country, and families with children were disproportionately affected. This study explores experiences with FI and social resources during the pandemic among families participating in a free, clinic-based community supported agriculture (CSA) program. Methods Free weekly boxes of organic produce from local farms were distributed to pediatric caregivers for 12 weeks at two pediatric outpatient centers associated with a children's hospital in a low-income, urban area. Demographics and a two-question FI screen were collected. Caregivers were purposively selected to participate in semi-structured interviews about experiences with FI and community or federal nutrition programs during the pandemic. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Content analysis with constant comparison was used to code interviews inductively and identify emerging themes. Results The 31 interviewees were predominantly female; more than half were Black, FI, and SNAP beneficiaries. Study participants were more likely to have repeat participation in the CSA program. Interviews elucidated four major themes of barriers to food access during the pandemic: (1) fluctuations in price, availability, and quality of food; (2) financial strain; (3) faster consumption with all family members home; (4) shopping challenges: infection fears, store closures, childcare. SNAP, WIC, and school meal programs were generally facilitators to food access. Increased SNAP allotments were particularly useful, and delays of mailed WIC benefits were challenging. Conclusions for practice This qualitative study describes facilitators and barriers to food access among clinic-based CSA program participants during the pandemic. The findings highlight areas for further exploration and potential policy intervention.
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Details
- Title
- Experiences with Pandemic Food Access Among Clinic-Based Community Supported Agriculture Program Participants
- Publication Details
- MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH JOURNAL, v 27(2), p375
- Publisher
- SPRINGER/PLENUM PUBLISHERS; NEW YORK
- Grant note
- CHOP Children's Fund Community Impact Award, Hardon Family, the sponsors had no role in study design, collection, analysis and interpretation of data, writing of the report, or in the decision to submit the article for publication.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Drexel University
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000905888900001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85145201020
- Other Identifier
- 991021861183004721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health