Affordability Challenges Drive Food Insufficiency in the Pandemic

Key Findings

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Getting food is a problem for people experiencing food insufficiency during the pandemic, but affording food is the biggest challenge. 

Note: Due to an erratum notice released June 17, 2020 by the U.S. Census Bureau regarding their incorrectly reported food insufficiency data, this snapshot replaces a previous Carsey publication with the correct and updated data.

A new survey from the U.S. Census Bureau finds that between June 4 and June 9, 10 percent of adults faced food insufficiency, reporting that they “sometimes” or “often” did not have enough to eat in the past seven days. When asked why they did not have enough food, 79.2 percent said that they could not afford to buy more. About 15 percent cited access challenges, including being afraid or unwilling to go out, or unable to get out to buy more food (including because of health or transportation challenges). A considerable share of adults without enough food expected the circumstance would be enduring, with 43.7 percent reporting they were not at all confident that they’d be able to afford food in the next four weeks. 

These findings show that affordability is the key driver of food insufficiency during the pandemic, a pattern that has persisted across weeks (data not shown). Affordability barriers indicate that bolstering household food spending resources is crucial, either with general supports (like unemployment insurance or housing assistance) that free up money for food or food-specific resources like expanded SNAP benefits. Enhancing the reach and capacity of food banks and food pantries that are filling essential gaps remains important amid persistent pandemic challenges. 
 

Reason(s) for Food Insufficiency Among Adults Experiencing Food Insufficiency, June 4-9

Couldn't afford to buy food
79.2         
Couldn't get out to buy food
14.5     
Afraid to go out to buy food
14.9     
  0 20 40 60 80 100
             Percent

Note: Adults experiencing food insufficiency are those who reported “sometimes” or “often” not having enough to eat in the past seven days. Respondents could select multiple options.
Source: Carsey School of Public Policy analysis of U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey data (week 6).

About the Authors
 
Jessica Carson, research assistant with the Carsey School of Public Policy.

Jess Carson is a research assistant professor with the Vulnerable Families Research Program at the Carsey School of Public Policy.

Photo of Sarah Boege, policy analyst with the Carsey School of Public Policy.

Sarah Boege is a policy analyst with both the Vulnerable Families Research Program and the Center for Impact Finance at the Carsey School of Public Policy.