Food Hardship during the COVID‐19 Pandemic and Great Recession
James P. Ziliak
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.
Topics & Concepts
RecessionCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)ReceiptPandemicFood insecurityDisadvantagedGreat recessionSocial distance2019-20 coronavirus outbreakSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Environmental healthDemographic economicsEconomicsDemographyMedicineEconomic growthFood securityGeographySociologyLabour economicsAgricultureVirologyOutbreakKeynesian economicsAccountingArchaeologyDiseaseInfectious disease (medical specialty)PathologyFood Security and Health in Diverse PopulationsUrban Agriculture and SustainabilityCOVID-19 Pandemic Impacts