scholarly journals A mixed-methods study to determine the impact of COVID-19 on food security, food access and supply in regional Australia for consumers and food supply stakeholders.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Louise Godrich ◽  
Johnny Lo ◽  
Katherine Kent ◽  
Flavio Macau ◽  
Amanda Devine
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
National Level ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Regional Australia ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the Australian food supply through changed consumer purchasing patterns, and potentially, household food security. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of COVID-19 on the prevalence of food insecurity and food supply issues, and perspectives of food supply stakeholders in regional Australia. Methods: A mixed-methods consumer survey and in-depth interviews with food supply stakeholders were conducted in South West Western Australia between May and July 2020, immediately after the 1st wave of the pandemicResults: The prevalence of food insecurity was 21%, and significantly more prevalent for those aged less than 30 years and living with a disability. Most consumers (73%) agreed that the COVID-19 pandemic had impacted the food supply. Food insecure respondents were more likely to report that food was more expensive, resulting in changes to the types and quantities of food bought. Food supply stakeholders perceived that consumers increased their intention to buying locally grown produce. Panic buying temporarily reduced the availability of food for both consumers and food suppliers.Conclusions: Further government support at a local, regional, and national level is necessary to support households at risk of food insecurity and to bolster regional food systems to support equitable access to food.

scholarly journals High food insecurity in Latinx families and associated COVID-19 infection in the Greater Bay Area, California

BMC Nutrition ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Milagro Escobar ◽  
Andrea DeCastro Mendez ◽  
Maria Romero Encinas ◽  
Sofia Villagomez ◽  
Janet M. Wojcicki
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Employment Status ◽  
The United States ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Bay Area ◽  
Household Food ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Food insecurity impacts nearly one-in-four Latinx households in the United States and has been exacerbated by the novel coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We examined the impact of COVID-19 on household and child food security in three preexisting, longitudinal, Latinx urban cohorts in the San Francisco Bay Area (N = 375 households, 1875 individuals). Households were initially recruited during pregnancy and postpartum at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG) and UCSF Benioff prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. For this COVID-19 sub-study, participants responded to a 15-min telephonic interview. Participants answered 18 questions from the US Food Security Food Module (US HFSSM) and questions on types of food consumption, housing and employment status, and history of COVID-19 infection as per community or hospital-based testing. Food security and insecurity levels were compared with prior year metrics. Results We found low levels of household food security in Latinx families (by cohort: 29.2%; 34.2%; 60.0%) and child food security (56.9%, 54.1%, 78.0%) with differences between cohorts explained by self-reported levels of education and employment status. Food security levels were much lower than those reported previously in two cohorts where data had been recorded from prior years. Reported history of COVID-19 infection in households was 4.8% (95% Confidence Interval (CI); 1.5–14.3%); 7.2% (95%CI, 3.6–13.9%) and 3.5% (95%CI, 1.7–7.2%) by cohort and was associated with food insecurity in the two larger cohorts (p = 0.03; p = 0.01 respectively). Conclusions Latinx families in the Bay Area with children are experiencing a sharp rise in food insecurity levels during the COVID-19 epidemic. Food insecurity, similar to other indices of poverty, is associated with increased risk for COVID-19 infection. Comprehensive interventions are needed to address food insecurity in Latinx populations and further studies are needed to better assess independent associations between household food insecurity, poor nutritional health and risk of COVID-19 infection.

scholarly journals Farmer Reported Pest and Disease Impacts on Root, Tuber, and Banana Crops and Livelihoods in Rwanda and Burundi

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1592 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Okonya ◽  
Walter Ocimati ◽  
Anastase Nduwayezu ◽  
Déo Kantungeko ◽  
Nicolas Niko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Cassava Mosaic Disease ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Crop Losses ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
Production Constraints ◽  
Root Tuber ◽  
The Impact

Biotic constraints cause major crop losses and, hence, food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa. This study documented the popularity, production constraints, pests and diseases, farmers’ perceptions on the severity of biotic constraints and the impact of related crop losses on household food security for the key root, tuber and banana (RTB) crops (cassava, potato, sweetpotato and banana). Farmer interviews were conducted in 2014 covering 811 households in Rwanda and Burundi. Farmers were asked to list their RTB crop production constraints, name insect pests and diseases of RTB crops, estimate crop loss due to pests and diseases, and mention if their household experienced any form of food insecurity due to pests and diseases. Cutworms and late blight in potato, banana weevils and banana Xanthomonas wilt in banana, cassava whitefly and cassava mosaic disease in cassava, sweetpotato weevils, and sweetpotato virus disease in sweetpotato were the most predominant pests and diseases reported. Crop losses due to pests and diseases for sweetpotato, banana, potato and cassava were estimated at 26%, 29%, 33%, and 36%, respectively, in Rwanda and 37%, 48%, 38%, and 37% in Burundi. Pests and diseases reduce the profitability of RTB crops, threaten food security, and constitute a disincentive for investment. Sustainable and affordable integrated pest management packages need to be developed.

scholarly journals The relationship between childhood adversity and food insecurity: ‘It’s like a bird nesting in your head’

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 2643-2653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Chilton ◽  
Molly Knowles ◽  
Jenny Rabinowich ◽  
Kimberly T Arnold
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectiveAdverse childhood experiences, including abuse, neglect and household instability, affect lifelong health and economic potential. The present study investigates how adverse childhood experiences are associated with food insecurity by exploring caregivers’ perceptions of the impact of their childhood adversity on educational attainment, employment and mental health.DesignSemi-structured audio-recorded in-person interviews that included (i) quantitative measures of maternal and child health, adverse childhood experiences (range: 0–10) and food security using the US Household Food Security Survey Module; and (ii) qualitative audio-recorded investigations of experiences with abuse, neglect, violence and hunger over participants’ lifetimes.SettingHouseholds in Philadelphia, PA, USA.SubjectsThirty-one mothers of children <4 years old who reported low or very low household food security.ResultsTwenty-one caregivers (68 %) reported four or more adverse childhood experiences, and this severity was significantly associated with reports of very low food security (Fisher’s exact P=0·021). Mothers reporting emotional and physical abuse were more likely to report very low food security (Fisher’s exact P=0·032). Qualitatively, participants described the impact of childhood adverse experiences with emotional and physical abuse/neglect, and household substance abuse, on their emotional health, school performance and ability to maintain employment. In turn, these experiences negatively affected their ability to protect their children from food insecurity.ConclusionsThe associations between mothers’ adverse experiences in childhood and reports of current household food security should inspire researchers, advocates and policy makers to comprehensively address family hardship through greater attention to the emotional health of caregivers. Programmes meant to address nutritional deprivation and financial hardship should include trauma-informed approaches that integrate behavioural interventions.

scholarly journals Changes in Eating Behaviors During COVID-19 and Association With Food Insecurity: Results From a Nation-Wide Online Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 202-202
Author(s):  
Shahmir Ali ◽  
Niyati Parekh ◽  
Ariadna Capasso ◽  
Yesim Tozan ◽  
Abbey Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Eating Behaviors ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Security Risk ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives The COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed both a health and economic crisis in the US, with growing concerns on how eating behaviors and food security (risk factors of non-communicable disease) have changed. This study examines changes in food insecurity and eating behaviors during the early months of the pandemic among US adults. Methods A nationwide survey of US adults was conducted in April 2020 through social-media advertisement-based recruitment to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Food insecurity was measured using a six-item validated USDA Household Food Security instrument. Eating behaviors were assessed by asking participants how their eating has changed since the pandemic (“Much More” to “Much Less”). Sociodemographic differences in food behaviors were assessed with chi-square tests, and an adjusted logistic regression model evaluated the association between food insecurity and eating behaviors. Results Overall, 5256 participants had data on eating behaviors; 58.6% were female, 43.8% aged 40–59 years old, and 56.4% were employed. Eating remained unchanged for most participants (52.7%), while 34.6% noted eating more, and 12.7% noted eating less since the pandemic. 85.3% of participants displayed high/marginal food insecurity, while 14.7% displayed low/very-low food security. Compared to those eating more during the pandemic, those eating less were more likely to be younger (24.7% vs. 17.4% aged 18–39), male (42.0% vs. 33.4%), not working, or unemployed (17.1% vs. 13.7%), and make &lt;$30,000 a year (20.7% vs. 12.6%). When adjusting for socio-demographic variables, compared to those whose eating behavior did not change, the adjusted odds of low/very-low food insecurity was higher among both those who were eating less (AOR:6.44, 95%CI:4.96–8.37) and eating more (AOR:1.67, 95%CI:1.33–2.09). Conclusions Our findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed significant food insecurity, with food insecurity being associated with bidirectional changes in food consumption. Public health professionals must critically examine the various contributors of eating behaviors during the pandemic and their link with food insecurity to develop targeted interventions. Funding Sources N/A

scholarly journals Hunger in the midst of plenty: A survey of household food security among urban families in Lagos State, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alero Ann Roberts ◽  
James Olufemi Osadare ◽  
Victor Akpan Inem
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Urban Communities ◽  
National Level ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Lagos State

Research has documented that food security at national level does not translate to food security at household level. The study assessed the level of food security among urban households in Shomolu LGA, Lagos State. Using the 9-item Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) information was collected from 306 heads of households on adequacy of food availability and consumption. Data were analyzed using Epi info and presented as frequencies and percentages. Associations between variables were tested using Chisquare at a significance level of 0.05. Households were classified as food secure, food insecure without hunger and food insecure with hunger. Only 33.8% of households were food secure, 45.1% were food insecure without hunger and 21.1% were food insecure with hunger. Food secure households were statistically significantly associated with households where heads had secondary or higher education, women were married, spending <40% of household monthly income on food and living in their own homes (P=0.001). Household food insecurity is found in urban communities and is positively associated with indicators of poverty.

Sustainable agricultural intensification practices and rural food security

2018 ◽  
Vol 120 (2) ◽  
pp. 468-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iddrisu Yahaya ◽  
Krishna P. Pokharel ◽  
Abdul-Fatahi Alidu ◽  
Fred Amofa Yamoah
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Resource Degradation ◽  
Food Insecurity Access ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the impact of participation in sustainable agricultural intensification practices (SAIPs) on household food security status in Northwestern Ghana. Design/methodology/approach The study utilised the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) indicator for the measurement of food access data from 168 households in ten communities from the Northwestern region of Ghana for the analyses. Households were categorised into participating households (treatment) and non-participating households (control). The endogenous treatment effects model was employed to evaluate the impact of participation in SAIPs training on food insecurity access scale. Findings The results show that participation in SAIPs training lowers, on average, the household food insecurity access by 2.95 points, approximately an 11 per cent reduction in HFIAS score. Other significant factors found to influence household food insecurity access scale are age of household head, experience in farming, total acres owned by household, income level of the household and occupation of the head of the household. Research limitations/implications The training programme of participation in SAIPs has massive implications for food security, rural economy and farmers’ livelihoods. However, due to the unique conditions prevailing in Northwestern Ghana, the findings of this research are limited in terms of their generalisability. Future research direction in the area of SAIPs trainings and impact study replications in all qualifying rural food production areas in Ghana, which are susceptible to household food insecurity, will provide a national picture of the efficacy of SAIPs trainings on household food insecurity. Practical implications A proven means to decrease natural resource degradation, increase crops yields, and increase subsistence farmers’ income, and food security is an important intervention to resolve the seasonal food shortage, which last for five months in a typical year for agro-food-dependent farming communities in Northwestern Ghana. Social implications Ensuring household food security improvement and environmental sustainability will help improve living standards of food producers and reduce the adverse social challenges associated with food insecure communities such as health problems due to food deficiencies, social inequalities, environmental pollution and natural resource degradation in Northwestern Ghana. Originality/value The contribution of this paper is the novel thought and approach to examine the impact of the SAIPs trainings on household food security in Northwestern Ghana using the household food insecurity access scale indicator. The study also examined the factors that affect household food security using the endogenous treatment model, which also evaluates the impact of the training programme on the outcome variable.

scholarly journals High Food Insecurity in Latinx Families and Associated COVID-19 Infection in the Greater Bay Area, California

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milagro Escobar ◽  
Andrea DeCastro Mendez ◽  
Maria Romero Encinas ◽  
Janet M Wojcicki
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Employment Status ◽  
The United States ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Bay Area ◽  
Household Food ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Impact

AbstractBackgroundFood insecurity impacts nearly one-in-four Latinx households in the United States and has been exacerbated by the novel coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsWe examined the impact of COVID-19 on household and child food security in three preexisting, longitudinal, Latinx urban cohorts in the San Francisco Bay Area (N=375 households, 1,875 individuals). Households were initially recruited during pregnancy and postpartum at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG) and UCSF Benioff prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. For this COVID sub-study, participants responded to a 15-minute telephonic interview. Participants answered 18 questions from the US Food Security Food Module (US HFSSM), described food consumption, housing and employment status, and history of COVID-19 infection as per community or hospital-based testing. Food security and insecurity levels were compared with prior year metrics.ResultsWe found low levels of household food security in Latinx families (by cohort: 29.2%; 34.2%; 60.0%) and child food security (56.9%; 54.1%; 78.0%) with differences between cohorts explained by self-reported levels of education and employment status. Food security levels were much lower than those reported previously in two cohorts where data had been recorded from prior years. Reported history of COVID-19 infection in households was 4.8% (95% Confidence Interval (CI); 1.5-14.3%); 7.2% (95%CI; 3.6-13.9%) and 3.5% (95%CI; 1.7-7.2%) by cohort and was associated with food insecurity in the two larger cohorts (p=0.03; p=0.01 respectively).ConclusionsLatinx families in the Bay Area with children are experiencing a sharp rise in food insecurity levels during the COVID-19 epidemic. Food insecurity, similar to other indices of poverty, is associated with increased risk for COVID-19 infection. Comprehensive interventions are needed to address food insecurity in Latinx populations and further studies are needed to better assess independent associations between household food insecurity, poor nutritional health and risk of COVID-19 infection.

scholarly journals Crop–livestock diversification in the mixed farming systems: implication on food security in Northern Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gideon Danso-Abbeam ◽  
Gilbert Dagunga ◽  
Dennis Sedem Ehiakpor ◽  
Abiodun A. Ogundeji ◽  
Edinam Dope Setsoafia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Development Planning ◽  
Northern Ghana ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Resource Base ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Achieving food security is a global priority and a concern for most African countries, including Ghana. Food systems providing varied and healthy diets without compromising the natural resource base, such as integrated crop–livestock diversification, are important for development planning and policy. Using cross-sectional data obtained from 1284 smallholder households in northern Ghana, we used a double-censored Tobit model in a conditional mixed-process (CMP) framework to estimate the impact of crop diversification on household food security. Results The results showed that household-specific, socioeconomic, and institutional factors influence crop–livestock diversification and food security in northern Ghana. Moreover, we found that higher intensity of crop–livestock diversification translates into a greater probability of achieving food security. Conclusions Crop–livestock diversification is essential to Ghana’s pursuit of the zero-hunger global agenda as it enhances food security without adversely affecting biodiversity and ecosystem health. Therefore, it should be incorporated into Ghana’s ongoing agricultural programme dubbed, planting and rearing for food and jobs.

scholarly journals Household food security during Covid-19 pandemic in Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, Indonesia

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 132-143
Author(s):  
Nurwulan Purnasari ◽  
Titisari Juwitangtyas ◽  
Iman Sabarisman
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Financial Crisis ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Household Food ◽  
The Impact

Household food security in Indonesia depends on many factors. This study aims to describe household food security during the Covid-19 pandemic in Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta (DIY). This research was conducted using a questionnaire for taking data. This study showed that there was a difference in household food security between the pre-pandemic of Covid-19 and during the pandemic of Covid-19. The hunger scale di DIY at the pre-pandemic of Covid-19 was 6% and increased during the pandemic of Covid-19 to 11%. It is showed that the financial crisis because of Covid-19 also influenced at increasing household food insecurity. As far as future research is concerned, the impact of food insecurity in vulnerable groups within the studied communities needs to be determined.

scholarly journals Suresh Chandra Babu and Ashok Gulati. Economic Reforms and Food Security: The Impact of Trade and Technology in South Asia. New York: Food Products Press, 2005. 483 pages. Price not given.

2005 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-107
Author(s):  
Atiq ur Rehman
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
South Asia ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
Current Trend ◽  
Economic Reforms ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

This book covers a wide range of issues relating to food security (in order of hierarchy) including the globalisation and liberalisation of trade, the WTO Agreement on Agriculture and Intellectual Property Rights, market reforms, technological options, diversification and research needs, water security, and household food security. Further, recommendations are made to cope with challenges of food insecurity. The authors emphasise the need of continuity of the current trend of reforms and devising new policies for the agricultural, food, and natural resources sectors. The issues of poverty, food insecurity, and malnutrition are being faced across South Asia. These are important not only on economic grounds but also on ethical grounds. The volume’s twenty one chapters, divided into seven parts, have been contributed by twenty-nine experts. Part I discusses economic reforms, trade, technology, and food security. The authors analyse food security situation in the region in the longrun perspective and discuss policy imperatives to cope with this challenge. Among the recommendations, are the need for investment in human resources, improvement in rural infrastructure, development of pro-poor technologies, and promotion of regional cooperation.

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