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Food security is a multidimensional concept consisting of food availability, access, utilization, and stability. However, food security is often measured as a single-dimensional construct with recent considerations for nutrition security. Using the multidimensional approach as a guiding framework, the purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore how emergency food assistance impacted food security among people seeking food assistance over time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adults between ages 18 and 64, English-speaking, and Florida residents were recruited at emergency food distribution sites in West Central Florida. Participants completed initial (n=129) and follow-up (n=59) surveys with demographic questions, questions about food assistance use, and the Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM). Participants that were food insecure and sought food assistance prior to COVID-19 were invited to participate in two, in-depth interviews: one at baseline (n=18) and one after three months (n=16). Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test compared HFSSM scores at baseline and follow-up, and bivariate analysis examined associations for improved food security scores. Applied thematic analysis was conducted to identify emergent themes. Quantitative results showed improvement in HFSSM scores (higher food security) at follow-up (p < 0.001). The seven emergent themes described processes and challenges in which people experiencing food insecurity must manage to ensure their families have enough food (eg, frequency of pantry visits varied; juggling between food pantries, SNAP, and/or food purchasing; not all pantries are worth going to). Study findings show that the multidimensional approach to food security is promising to guide nuanced food security measurement. Quantitative and qualitative changes across each food security dimension reveal aspects that can be used to tailor programs to address specific needs in food availability, access, utilization, and stability over time. University of South Florida College of Public Health, Feeding Tampa Bay [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coping strategies (CS) to manage crises such as a pandemic or food insecurity (FI) are markers of resilience and potential protective factors that may support stability and promote individuals' well-being. The purpose of this study was to identify CS among people seeking emergency food assistance (EFA) during the COVID-19 pandemic and compare the strategies between people that sought assistance for the first time before or during the pandemic. Guided by the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, in-depth interviews (n=36) were conducted to explore CS of participants seeking EFA at food distribution sites in West Central Florida between November 2020 and July 2021. Applied thematic analysis was conducted to identify emergent themes. Participants reported strategies such as reducing food purchasing, finding "helpful" pantries that provided preferred foods, meal-planning and freezing foods, seeking social support, and changing their mindset. Six emergent themes described their experiences coping with FI: (1) normalizing restricted food intake, (2) stretching food dollars, (3) realizing that pantries were an overrated safety net, (4) maximizing pantry food utilization, (5) experiencing FI with added pandemic and non-pandemic stressors, (6) envisioning a hopeful future post-COVID-19. A major difference between the two populations was that new visitors perceived their situation as temporary and things would be "back to normal" soon, whereas for "before COVID" participants, seeking EFA was a crucial, long-term solution that involved innovative strategies such as bartering and "food bank shopping" to ensure they never ran out of food. Together, these CS and themes describe how people seeking EFA actively manage multiple stressors to improve FI and financial stability. Study findings can inform interventions at EFA sites by incorporating concepts like motivational interviewing to support participants through stressful times. By identifying CS that may promote food security (eg, culinary skills and food assistance information seeking), people seeking EFA may be able to better utilize pantry foods to have sufficient and healthy food. University of South Florida College of Public Health; Feeding Tampa Bay [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]