Differences in Community Stakeholders’ Perceived Barriers and Needs to Improve Food Security for Families With Children Under 3 Years Before and During COVID-19

OBJECTIVES: To explore the perceived barriers and needs of different types of community stakeholders regarding services and resources to improve food security for families with children under 3 years before and during COVID-19. METHODS: Community stakeholders (n = 32) working with low-income families with children ages 0–3 years in Florida participated in a 60-minute interview via Zoom. Participants included those working in healthcare (n = 7), community/policy development (n = 6), emergency food assistance (n = 6), early childhood development (n = 7), and nutrition education (n = 6). Trained researchers conducted interviews using a semi-structured script based on the PRECEDE component of the PRECEDE-PROCEED model. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using an inductive thematic approach. Crosstab qualitative analysis was used to compare data across different types of stakeholders. RESULTS: Overall barriers to providing resources and services to improve food security in families with children under 3 years included community individuals’ lack of knowledge of available resources and the stigma associated with applying for benefits. When further exploring these barriers by type of stakeholder, before COVID-19, early childhood and nutrition educators reported a lack of social marketing and community engagement as key barriers to providing resources and services while emergency food assistance providers stated limited funding restrictions. Community/policy development providers also expressed lack of community buy-in and motivation as their primary barriers. Stakeholders stated that while existing barriers remained, new challenges emerged due to COVID-19. Early childhood and nutrition education providers reported individuals’ lack of knowledge and access to technology as the main barrier, while healthcare and community/policy development providers reported fear of COVID-19 exposure and new safety protocols. Emergency food providers reported a lack of knowledge in accessing resources or services. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding pre-existing and emerging barriers to improving food security in households with young children can guide the development of effective policies and practices relevant to different types of stakeholders. FUNDING SOURCES: None.