Producción, acceso y diversidad alimentaria en familias agricultoras agroecológicas en tiempos de COVID-19

This article aimed to analyze food production, access and diversity in agroecological farming families in times of COVID-19, who produce food in an agroecological way, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The methodological design was mixed (qualitative and quantitative), cross-sectional and phenomenological. A non-probabilistic sampling selecting by convenience with 8 families belonging to ASOCAMPO, Marinillas (Antioquia-Colombia) was made, through a semi-structured interview that included: sociodemographic data, agricultural production, access to food (based on the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale-ELCSA, 2012), as well as dietary diversity, and also economic variables, educational level and solid waste separation practices. Main results pointed out that people interviewed have a higher level of education, live in rural areas and grow agroecological food for consumption and marketing. They use methods and techniques that do not have a negative impact on the environment, and also show a sense of belonging to the place where they live, which generates a sense of respect and value for the land and its benefits. Only one household presented mild food insecurity and the dietary diversity score was on average 6.53 (SD ± 0.92) out of a maximum of 9, with a consumption of 75% or more for all food groups, with the exception of the offal group (12%). Six people consumed foods rich in vitamin A and iron. During the COVID-19 pandemic (first 3 months of onset), there was no evidence of changes in food production, access and food diversity, possibly due to consumer loyalty, stable relationships and direct contacts between farmers and consumers.