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Abstract

Food insecurity and poor nutritional intake as a possible mental health risk factor for children, adolescents and adults are addressed from an ecological perspective in the midst of a global pandemic. During the recent global Coronovirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, approximately 10% of U.S. households reported greater difficulty finding adequate food sources than were experienced prior to the pandemic. In response to food shortages, the U.S. Federal government passed legislation approving state waivers which suspended income verification and eligibility deadlines to expedite food assistance approval process for families during the pandemic. This enabled state flexibility in allocating Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds in response to the COVID-19 crisis. This article describes U.S. COVID-related food insecurity issues, subsequent Federal legislative responses and explores one state’s solutions to pandemic food shortages from an ecological systems theoretical viewpoint with recommendations for further study.

Key Take Away Points

  • Description of U.S. Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) food insecurity issues.
  • COVID-19 Federal Legislative responses to address pandemic-related hunger.
  • One state's solutions to pandemic food shortages from an ecological systems theoretical viewpoint.
  • Recommendations for further study.

Author Biography

Dr. Melinda Lewis is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of West Florida, teaching graduate and undergraduate courses across the Social Work curriculum. Professor Paula Rappe is the Baccalaureate Program Director for the Department of Social Work at the University of West Florida and oversees the BSW Curriculum. Professor Janet Albury is an highly experienced instructor of direct practice and policy courses within the BSW curriculum at the University of West Florida. Dr. Miu Ha Kwong is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of West Florida, responsible for teaching graduate clinical social work courses and for online graduate curriculum development.

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