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Spatial characteristics of food insecurity and food access in Los Angeles County during the COVID-19 pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Michelle Sarah Livings

    (Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, University of Southern California)

  • John Wilson

    (Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, University of Southern California
    University of Southern California
    Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, University of Southern California
    University of Southern California)

  • Sydney Miller

    (University of Southern California)

  • Wändi Bruine de Bruin

    (University of Southern California
    Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, University of Southern California
    University of Southern California
    University of Southern California)

  • Kate Weber

    (University of Southern California)

  • Marianna Babboni

    (University of Southern California)

  • Mengya Xu

    (Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, University of Southern California)

  • Kenan Li

    (Saint Louis University)

  • Kayla de la Haye

    (University of Southern California)

Abstract

Food insecurity spiked in some U.S. regions during the COVID-19 pandemic, as did food access challenges. Concerns were raised that these food issues were more prominent in food deserts, or neighborhoods lacking access to a grocery store or supermarket. Using data collected from a representative sample of Los Angeles County adults between April and October 2020, this study examined relationships between self-reported food insecurity, perceived food access barriers, and residing in a food desert, and examined differences across key geographic regions of the county. There was little relationship between residing in a food desert and experiencing food insecurity. However, perceived grocery store closures/limited hours and not having access to a vehicle were commonly reported barriers to food access, which were associated with more food insecurity. These findings suggest that geographic disparities in food access impact food insecurity. Efforts to address food insecurity should center on achieving food justice and addressing disparities across geographic regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Michelle Sarah Livings & John Wilson & Sydney Miller & Wändi Bruine de Bruin & Kate Weber & Marianna Babboni & Mengya Xu & Kenan Li & Kayla de la Haye, 2023. "Spatial characteristics of food insecurity and food access in Los Angeles County during the COVID-19 pandemic," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 15(5), pages 1255-1271, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ssefpa:v:15:y:2023:i:5:d:10.1007_s12571-023-01381-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s12571-023-01381-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Alessandro Bonanno & Jing Li, 2015. "Food Insecurity and Food Access in U.S. Metropolitan Areas," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 37(2), pages 177-204.
    2. Mark LeClair & Anna-Maria Aksan, 2014. "Redefining the food desert: combining GIS with direct observation to measure food access," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 31(4), pages 537-547, December.
    3. Gundersen, Craig & Waxman, Elaine & Crumbaugh, Amy S., 2019. "An Examination of the Adequacy of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefit Levels: Impacts on Food Insecurity," Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 48(3), pages 433-447, December.
    4. Craig Gundersen & James P Ziliak, 2018. "Food Insecurity Research in the United States: Where We Have Been and Where We Need to Go," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 40(1), pages 119-135.
    5. Di Fang & Michael R. Thomsen & Rodolfo M. Nayga & Wei Yang, 2022. "Food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from a survey of low-income Americans," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 14(1), pages 165-183, February.
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