P058 Experiences of New Visitors Seeking Emergency Food Assistance Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, food insecurity rates doubled, even tripled among households with children. In May 2020, Feeding America reported an average increase of charitable food use by 59% compared to the previous year across 98% of their network food banks. At that time, an estimated 38% of visitors were new to charitable food assistance. OBJECTIVE: To explore food insecure, first-time visitors’ experiences seeking food assistance during COVID-19. STUDY DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS: A qualitative study design. Adults (ages 18-64) seeking food assistance at emergency food distribution sites in West Central Florida were recruited to participate in the study between November 2020 and July 2021. Individuals that were food insecure and first-time visitors due to COVID-19 participated in in-depth interviews (N = 18). Using food security as a multidimensional concept, the interview guide explored the impact of emergency food assistance on food availability, access, utilization, and stability. MEASURABLE OUTCOME/ANALYSIS: Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed on ATLAS.ti 22. Applied thematic analysis was conducted to identify emergent themes. RESULTS: Participants were predominantly White (55.6%), female (72.2%), and between 40 and 59 years old (55.6%). There were seven salient themes including (1) crisis, added burdens, and barriers to pandemic assistance caused the need to seek food assistance, (2) fear of COVID-19 exposure and reducing risks, (3) new food purchasing behaviors to reduce spending, (4) pantry environments impact clients’ feelings, (5) pantry foods – hit or miss, (6) mixed quality of pantry foods, and (7) gaining firsthand insight on hunger as a societal problem and appreciation for services. These themes describe how emergency food assistance increased participants’ food availability and access during COVID-19, however, there were challenges in being able to use the pantry foods. Seeking food assistance made a difference in the way participants felt and impacted how they viewed hunger. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings suggest that emergency food providers can support clients by helping navigate pandemic recovery as they experience food insecurity as a temporary situation. FUNDING: University of South Florida College of Public Health; Feeding Tampa Bay