(PTFS10-03-23) Food Security and Food Sourcing Among Rural and Urban Households in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine differences in food security, food sourcing, and the use of food assistance programs between rural and urban households in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: We used data from two waves of a national survey (n = 3,196) conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, in July-August 2020 and April-May 2021. To measure food insecurity, we used the USDA six-item short form of the Food Security Survey Module. We used multivariate logistic regression models to examine differences in food sourcing and the use of food assistance programs among households living in rural and urban areas, controlling for sociodemographic factors.

Results: The prevalence of food insecurity was higher among rural respondents (42.4%) than urban respondents (33.2%) during the first 14 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the difference was not statistically significant when controlling for other factors (OR 1.26; 95% CI = 0.95-1.68; p = 0.103). Rural respondents were more likely to obtain food from traditional grocery stores (OR 1.69; 95% CI = 1.20-2.39; p = 0.003), convenience stores (OR 1.33; 95% CI = 1.03-1.72; p = 0.027), eat-in restaurants (OR 1.46; 95% CI = 1.13-1.89; p = 0.004), and home food production (OR 2.08; 95% CI = 1.54-2.83; p < 0.000), while they were less likely to obtain food from specialty stores (OR 0.59; 95% CI = 0.45-0.79; p < 0.000) than urban respondents. There was no significant difference in the use food delivery services, to-go meals from restaurants, or local food sources. Overall, rural respondents were more likely to use food assistance programs (OR 1.41; 95% CI: 1.06-1.87; p = 0.017). However, while they were more likely to use food pantries (OR 1.34; 95% CI = 1.00-1.80; p = 0.049), they were less likely to use Meals on Wheels (OR 0.59; 95% CI = 0.38-0.92; p = 0.020) than urban respondents.

Conclusions: Our results indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to higher rates of food insecurity for both rural and urban households, but rural and urban households responded to the challenges brought about by the pandemic in different ways. They used different strategies to source and afford food and relied on different types of food assistance programs to meet their food needs.

Funding Sources: USDA-ARS, University of Vermont, Arizona State University, Johns Hopkins University