From proximity concerns to constant snacking: Narratives of food access and consumption patterns before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective: The goal of this research was to uncover narratives around food access and consumption among Black women who attend HBCUs before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants: Black women, ages 18–25. Methods: Focus groups were used to understand how participants defined healthy foods as well as barriers and facilitators of consumption. During the pandemic follow-up focus groups uncovered how COVID-19 impacted their access and consumption patterns. Results: Findings revealed that HCBU women faced similar and distinct concerns around food access prior to and during the pandemic. Students were limited by price, budgets, proximity to healthy foods, kitchen access, and cooking tools. However, proximity or transportation both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic encouraged students to access healthy foods. Conclusion: For students who are already at a societal disadvantage and attend a university located in a food desert, access to nutritious foods can be an exacerbated plight.

Keywords:

• Food access
• Black women
• college students
• COVID-19
• HBCU
• food insecurity

Acknowledgments

First, we would like to thank the women who took the time to participate in this qualitative study. Second, we would also like to acknowledge Drs. David Carroll and Sharon Parker for their roles in grant writing and data analysis.

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United States of America and received approval from the North Carolina A&T State University.

Funding

No funding was used to support this research and/or the preparation of the manuscript.