Policy Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Insecurity in Rural America: Evidence from Appalachia

Overview

Journal Int J Environ Res Public Health

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Environmental Health
Public Health

Date 2021 Dec 10

PMID 34886518

Citations 9

Authors

Kathryn M Cardarelli

Emily DeWitt

Rachel Gillespie

Rachel H Graham

Heather Norman-Burgdolf

Janet T Mullins

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Rural communities are disproportionally affected by food insecurity, making them vulnerable to the consequences of supply disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. While access to food was initially diminished due to food supply disruptions, little is known about the mechanisms through which federal emergency assistance programs impacted food access in rural populations. Through a series of five focus groups in spring 2021, we examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food access in a rural Appalachian community in Kentucky. Data were analyzed using a Grounded Theory Approach. Findings revealed the following four primary themes: food scarcity in grocery stores; expanded federal food assistance; expanded community food resources; and expanded home gardening. Participants provided details regarding the way increased federal assistance, especially expanded benefits within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, allowed them to purchase greater quantities of nutritious food. This study unveils the specific impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on one rural population, including the influence of some social determinants of health on food insecurity. Policymakers and stakeholders should recognize the layered protection of multiple federal emergency assistance programs against food insecurity and the potential for long-term population health promotion in rural areas.

Citing Articles

Community-Engaged Approach to Improve Food Access and Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables in a Rural Appalachian Community.

Luecking C, Barr-Porter M, Brewer D, Cardarelli K Nutrients. 2025; 17(3).

PMID: 39940289 PMC: 11820719. DOI: 10.3390/nu17030431.

A Systematic Review: The Impact of COVID-19 Policy Flexibilities on SNAP and WIC Programmatic Outcomes.

Crespo-Bellido M, Headrick G, Lopez M, Holcomb J, Khan A, Sapkota S Adv Nutr. 2024; 16(2):100361.

PMID: 39710095 PMC: 11773222. DOI: 10.1016/j.advnut.2024.100361.

Nutritional quality of food purchases during the COVID-19 public health crisis: An analysis of geographic disparities in North Carolina.

DAngelo Campos A, Ng S Prev Med Rep. 2024; 44:102812.

PMID: 39091570 PMC: 11292539. DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2024.102812.

Enduring Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Access, Nutrition, and Well-Being in Rural Appalachia.

Cardarelli K, DeWitt E, Gillespie R, Bandy N, Norman-Burgdolf H Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2024; 21(5).

PMID: 38791807 PMC: 11120804. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21050594.

COVID-19 preparedness and response in rural and remote areas: A scoping review.

Dudley L, Couper I, Kannangarage N, Naidoo S, Ribas C, Koller T PLOS Glob Public Health. 2023; 3(11):e0002602.

PMID: 37967067 PMC: 10651055. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002602.

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