Addressing Food Insecurity during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Intervention Outcomes and Lessons Learned from a Collaborative Food Delivery Response in South Florida’s Underserved Households

Nana Aisha Garba, Lea Sacca, Rachel D. Clarke, Prasad Bhoite, John Buschman, Virama Oller, Nancy Napolitano, Samuel Hyppolite, Sophia Lacroix, Al Archibald, Ocean Hamilton, Tobi Ash and David R. Brown
Additional contact information
Nana Aisha Garba: Department of Humanities, Health and Society, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 32413, USA
Lea Sacca: Department of Humanities, Health and Society, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 32413, USA
Rachel D. Clarke: Department of Humanities, Health and Society, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 32413, USA
Prasad Bhoite: Department of Humanities, Health and Society, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 32413, USA
John Buschman: Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33181, USA
Virama Oller: Department of Humanities, Health and Society, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 32413, USA
Nancy Napolitano: Department of Humanities, Health and Society, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 32413, USA
Samuel Hyppolite: Department of Humanities, Health and Society, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 32413, USA
Sophia Lacroix: Department of Humanities, Health and Society, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 32413, USA
Al Archibald: Grace United Community Church, Miami, FL 32413, USA
Ocean Hamilton: Redland Ahead Inc., Farmer to Families Program, Homestead, FL 32413, USA
Tobi Ash: Joshua’s Heart Food Pantry, North Miami Beach, FL 32413, USA
David R. Brown: Department of Humanities, Health and Society, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 32413, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 13, 1-12

Abstract: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted underlying disparities in health, healthcare access, and other social factors that have been documented for racial/ethnic minorities. The social-distancing mandate exacerbated the impact of social determinants of health, such as unemployment and food insecurity, particularly among underserved minority populations. We highlight intervention outcomes and lessons learned from the Florida International University (FIU) Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine (HWCOM) NeighborhoodHELP’s response to pandemic-related food insecurity among Miami Dade County’s underserved population. Methods: Following the stay-at-home mandate, a weekly needs assessment of program households was conducted by the NeighborhoodHELP team, during which food insecurity emerged as a pandemic-related urgent need, rising from three percent of program Households in March 2020 to 36.9 percent six months later. Consequently, the program staff collaborated with another FIU department, community partners, and a benefactor to develop a food donation and delivery project. Results: Fifteen hundred and forty-three culturally appropriate food boxes were delivered to 289 participating households, comprising 898 household members, over a 14-month period. Conclusion: This project underscores the importance of leveraging community assets to address their needs during a crisis and the significance of sustained community engagement for researchers and service providers who work in underserved communities.

Keywords: COVID-19; pandemic; social determinants of health; food insecurity; community outreach; community engagement; underserved community (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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